MR. O'KEEFFE (Limerick)I beg to ask the Solicitor General for Ireland, having regard to the persistent exclusion of Roman Catholics and large land occupiers, duly qualified, from grand juries at present assizes in Ireland, as 1142 particularly exemplified by the constitution of the counties Clare and Limerick Grand Juries, if he will consider the advisability of devising a means to intimate to the High Sheriffs the Government's disapproval of such selections?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURAs I have already pointed out in answer to a former Question, the Government have no power whatever to interfere with the discharge by a High Sheriff of his duty in summoning a Grand Jury. If he is guilty of any illegality the matter can be brought before a Judge of Assize, who has power to fine him for any breach of duty. The Government have in no case the power.