How far he is to be held responsible, or blameworthy, for these failures, readers may be assisted to decide.
From the beginning of 1916 onwards the Irish Government was warned of danger.

One of its members--the Attorney-General, Sir James Campbell--advocated the seizure of arms from men parading with what were evidently stolen service rifles or bayonets.

But the Chief Secretary refused to take any action which could be described as an attempt to suppress or disarm the Irish Volunteers until there was definite evidence of actual association with the enemy.
Proof of sympathy was not difficult to obtain, and the propaganda against recruiting had now reached the point of attempts to break up recruiting meetings.

Still, Mr.Birrell was in a difficulty.

He had a logical mind, and he knew what had been permitted to Ulster.