§ MR. P. J. SMYTHasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, If Section 16 of 10 George 4, c. 7, has been repealed; if not, to what extent, if any, the working of the University Education Bill 1525 might be affected by it; and, if, having regard to said Bill, it is his intention to introduce a Bill for the repeal of the Penal Clauses of the Catholic Emancipation Act?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. GIBSON)Sir, the section of the Catholic Emancipation Act referred to has not been absolutely or entirely repealed; but it has been largely qualified by subsequent legislation. Thus it has been expressly repealed as to the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham by 34 & 35 Vict., c. 25, s. 8, and is virtually repealed as to the University of Dublin (except as to the Divinity School) by 36 Vict., c. 21—known as Fawcett's Act. In my opinion, this section will not interfere with the working of the University proposed to be created by Charter under the provisions of the University Education Bill.