§ MR. CALLANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether he sanctioned the issuing of the proclamation or notice signed Edward Hornsby, secretary of the Commissioners of Public Works, Ireland; and, if so, whether, being the only responsible Minister of the Crown in Ireland on Saturday last, the date of the issuing of the said proclamation or notice, he, as Chief Secretary for Ireland, is prepared to defend the conduct of the authorities and accept the responsibility 1095 of the action taken thereon; and, whether he is prepared to state in what capacity and under the provisions of what statute Edward Hornsby was authorized to issue instructions to the police to prevent the holding a public meeting convened for a legal purpose?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONSir, the notice referred to by the hon. Member, as signed by the Secretary to the Board of Works in Ireland, was issued by direction of the Lord Lieutenant, and with my knowledge and concurrence. With reference to the other Questions put by the hon. Member, I may remark that the hon. Member for Kilkenny (Sir John Gray) has given Notice of his intention to call the attention of the House on Friday next to the occurrences in Dublin on Sunday last; and it seems to me it would be desirable that I should postpone until then any further explanation, which, indeed, could hardly be given within the limits of a reply to a Question. I observe that the hon. Members for Dublin and Dundalk have also given Notice of their intention to ask Questions on the subject next Thursday, and I trust they will consider whether they will consent to postpone those Questions until the subject is discussed on Friday.