 The chief service Boyle Roche rendered his government was in connection with the Volunteer Convention of November 1783 , in which he " acted a part only less remarkable than his immunity from the opprobrium which might have been expected to attach to it . " The question of admitting the Roman Catholics to the franchise was at the time being agitated , and found many warm supporters in the convention . The proposal was extremely obnoxious to the Irish government , and on the second day of the meeting the secretary of state , George Ogle , announced that the Roman Catholics , in the person of Lord Kenmare , had relinquished the idea of making any claim further than the religious liberty they then enjoyed , and gave as his authority for this extraordinary statement Sir Boyle Roche , by whom it was confirmed ! 
