In April 1912 John Redmond leader of the Irish Parliamentary Party, which held the balance of power in the House of Commons committed the government of the United Kingdom to introducing an Irish Home Rule Bill.
In November 1913 Pearse was invited to the inaugural meeting of the Irish Volunteers-formed in reaction to the creation of the Ulster Volunteers-whose aim was "to secure and maintain the rights and liberties common to the whole people of Ireland" [REF].