Editing Catholic emancipation (section)

==Act of Union with Ireland 1800==
{{See also|Veto controversy}}
The issue of greater political emancipation was considered in 1800 at the time of the [[Act of Union 1800|Act of Union]] between Great Britain and Ireland: it was not included in the text of the Act because this would have led to greater Irish [[Protestant]] opposition to the Union. [[Nonconformist (Protestantism)|Non-conformists]] also suffered from discrimination at this time.

[[William Pitt the Younger]], the Prime Minister, had promised emancipation to accompany the Act. No further steps were taken at that stage, however, in part because of the belief of [[George III of the United Kingdom|King George III]] that it would violate his [[Coronation Oath]]. Pitt resigned when the King's opposition became known, as he was unable to fulfil his pledge. Catholic emancipation then became a debating point rather than a major political issue.

The increasing number of Irish Catholics serving in the British army led to the army giving freedom of worship to Catholic soldiers in 1811.<ref>Hansard XIX, 11 March 1811. cc.350-356.</ref> Their contribution in the [[Napoleonic Wars]] may have contributed to the support of Wellington (himself Irish-born, though Protestant) for emancipation.

[[File:Stamp irl 1929oconnellset.jpg|left|thumb|200px|The first [[commemorative stamp|commemorative]] [[postage stamps of Ireland]], issued in 1929, commemorate the [[Roman Catholic Relief Act 1829]] with a portrait of [[Daniel O'Connell]].]]