HC Deb 31 October 1884 vol 293 cc652-3
MR. BIGGAR

asked Mr. Solicitor General for Ireland, Whether it is a fact that, at the licensing sessions in Green Street, Dublin, a person named Thomas W. Russell, secretary of a temperance association, is allowed by the presiding Recorder, the honourable Frederick Falkiner, to make objection to any application he desires, and to occupy the time of the Court in delivering statements against applicants; whether the said Mr. Russell has any locus standi to make objection in cases where he is not a parishioner; whether the Recorder invariably asks Mr. Russell's advice to guide him in his decisions; whether, at each session, a large number of applications are struck out of the lists without being heard; whether the said Recorder has publicly stated his determination to cancel every licence he can; and, whether, if he holds such views, the Government will relieve him of the business of the licensing sessions, as they have done in the case of the County Revision Court?

THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. WALKER)

, in reply, said, the Recorder was not answerable to the Government for the way in which the Licensing Act was administered. The Government had no knowledge that the Recorder ever had entertained or expressed the opinion suggested in the Question. There was no intention of altering his duties as proposed.