LIEUTENANT, LORD-, OF IRELAND, the viceroy or deputy of the sovereign to whom the government of Ireland is committed. The office has existed from a remote period, the appointment having been made under different designations. His powers were in early times very extensive, almost regal. For the last half century following the revo lution the lord-lieutenant resided little in Ireland, visiting it only once in two years to hold the session of parliament. Some lords-lieutenant never went to Ireland at all, and occasionally, instead of a viceroy, lords-justices (see JUSTICES, Lonns-) were appointed.
The lord-lieutenant is appointed under the great seal of the United Kingdom, and bears the sword of state as the symbol of his viceregal office. He has the assistance of a privy-cou-Acil of 38 members, appointed by the sovereign, and of officers of state. He Is commissioned to keep the peace and the laws and customs of Ireland, and to see that justice is impartially administered. He has the control of the police, and may issue orders to the general commanding the troops for the support of the civil authority, the the public, the defense of the kingdom, and the suppression of insurrec• ton. He may confer knighthood, and, previous to its disestablishment, had the disposal of church preferment, as well as all the other patronage of the country. The granting of money, and lands, and pensions, of all titles of honor except simple knighthood, the appointment of privy-councilors, judges, law officers, and governors of forts, and the appointment to military commissions, are reserved to the sovereign, acting, however, on the lord-lieutenant's advice and recommendation. No complaint of injustice or
oppression in Ireland will be entertained by the sovereign until first made to the lord lieutenant, who is in no case required to execute the royal instructions in a matter of which he may disapprove until he can communicate with the sovereign and receive further orders. Yevnotwithstanding the dignity and responsibility of his office, the lord-lieutenant acts in every matter of importance under the direct control of the cabinet of Great Britain. The views and opinions of the cabinet on all the more important questions connected with his government are communicated to him by the home secre tary, who is held responsible for the government of Ireland, and with whom it is the duty of the lord-lieutenant to be in close correspondencs; on motors of revenue he must be in constant communication with the treasury. On his occasional or temporary absence from Ireland, lords-justices are appointed, who are usually the lord primate, the lord chancellor, and the commander of the forces. His salary is £20,000, with a resi dence in Dublin castle as well as one in Plicenix Park. His tenure of office depends on that of the ministry, of which he is a member. By act 10 Geo. IV. c. 7, a Roman Catholic is ineligible for the lieutenancy of Ireland.