The Church of Ireland's diocesan system is based on the 900-year-old system set up by the Synod of Rathbreasail. However in recent years, declining membership has led to consolidation into two provinces, and the mergers of some dioceses, especially in the south and west of the Island.
This decline in population, particularly in the south and west has not been reflected in the General Synod representation allocated to each diocese. As a result, sparsely-populated areas enjoy a greater say in the decision-making process of the church than their numbers would permit. This injustice, which has been defended by certain bishops, is keenly felt in more populous areas of the church, and has led for calls for General Synod to be reformed on a more representative basis.