Speaker of the Irish House of Commons

In the absence of a government chosen from and answerable to the Commons, the Speaker was the dominant political figure in the Parliament of Ireland.

Even so, the conduct of everyday business in the House was generally overseen with impartiality and fairness by all holders of the Speakership.

However, the House increasingly reflected the virulent political divisions between Whig and Tory factions, and Alan Brodrick's second candidacy was contested in 1713.

The Speaker held the casting vote when the House divided as primus inter pares.

The last Speaker was John Foster, who had been a vehement opponent of the Union while in the chair.