ABSTRACT
From the autumn of 1843 onwards it is evident that the members of the Government were prepared to think more clearly and consistently about Irish affairs and the importance of reform. Positive reform measures were accepted as being necessary, along with the suppression of the repeal movement, if good order were to be restored in Ireland. If the repeal agitation pointed to the necessity for change in Ireland, the sudden ending of the great agitation had equally the effect of concentrating O’Connell’s attention on reforms. The most significant characteristic of the Government’s whole Irish reform policy was the relatively small part given to social and economic issues. The initiative in the matter appears to have lain with Sir James Graham. The unwillingness of the Roman authorities to become embroiled in a dangerous conflict on behalf of a Government they regarded with some suspicion did not deter Peel from pressing ahead with his religious policy in Ireland.
