STATUTE (IRELAND). In Ireland, the method by which the early irregular convocations, called parliaments, passed their acts, appears to have been a close imitation of the English practice. The authenticated printed statutes begin in the year 1310, 3 Edw. II. After five short acts of this parliament there is a hiatus until the year 1429, although it is known in history that repeated parliaments were held in the interval. Many of these statutes are characteristic indications of the state of the country, and throw light on the domination of the English over the natives—for example, the 25 Hen. VI. c. 4, "An Act, that he that will bo taken for an Englishman, use a Beard upon his upper Lip alone ; the Offender shall be taken as an Irish Enemy :" 28 Hen. VI. c. 3, " An Act, that it shall be lawful for every Liegeman to kill or take notorious Thieves, and Thieves found robbing, spoiling, or breaking Houses, or taken with the manner : " and in later times (the 7 Will. III. c. 21), " An Act for the better suppressing Tories, Robbers, and Rapparees ; and for preventing Robberies, Burglaries, and other heinous Crimes." The Statute of Drogheda, commonly called
Poyning's Law, passed in 1495 (10 Hen. VII.), had a marked influence on the later legislation and constitutional history of Ireland ; as by it, all the acts then or late passed in England, "concerning or belonging to the common and public weal of the same," should be law in Ireland. It further provided that no measure should be proposed for the adop tion of parliament until it had first received the royal assent in England. It is believed that this badge of servitude prevented the passing of many exterminating acts, which, in times of anarchy, dis cord, or tyranny, the Irish ministry, and their partisan-parliaments, would have readily passed. This act was repealed, and the indepen dence of the Irish legislature restored by the measure of 1783. At the Union, in 1800, the Irish Parliament was merged in that of Great Britain and Ireland.