Thirdly. The powers of the Irish Government, in which term is here included both the Irish Executive and the Irish Parliament.
Fourthly. The Restrictions (popularly known as the safeguards) and the obligations imposed upon the Irish Government.
These features are primary and essential; everything else, however important in itself, is subsidiary and accidental.
A. The Supremacy of the Imperial Parliament[26]
The Home Rule Bill asserts in its preamble the inexpediency of 'impairing or restricting the supreme authority of Parliament'; and in clause 33, apparently[27] assumes the right of the Imperial Parliament after the passing of the Home Rule Bill to enact for Ireland laws which cannot be repealed by the Irish Parliament.
The new constitution therefore maintains the supremacy of the Imperial Parliament.
What, however, is the true meaning of this 'supreme authority,' 'supremacy,' or 'sovereignty,' if you like, of the Imperial Parliament?