Their judgement, in essence, identified a lacuna in the existing legislation, which would disqualify the Reverend MacManaway. While the Irish Church Act 1869 did disestablish the Church of Ireland, since there was no express provision in that Act permitting its clergymen to sit as MPs, the unfortunate MacManaway would still be subject to the strictures of the House of Commons (Clergy Disqualification) Act 1801, which debarred any person 'ordained to the office of priest or deacon' from sitting or voting in the House of Commons.