§ Mr. Parnell moved, that there be laid before the house, an account of the number of Civil Bills, respecting Tythes, which have been tried before assistant barristers in Ireland, during the year ending the 1st of Jan. 1808.
Dr. Duigenanthese cause were so numerous and so scattered through different parts of Ireland, that he did not see how it was possible to procure the returns which the hon. gent. desired.
§ Mr. Parnellreplied, that the objection stated by the learned doctor, was the principal reason why he wished to have such returns laid before the house. It was because these processes were so numerous, and because litigations respecting tythes in Ireland had increased to so great a pitch, that he thought it necessary for parliament to have the fullest information con- 80 cerning, the existence of the evil. He did not suppose the returns could be made this session; but it could not be difficult to make them, because the assistant barristers must have kept a register by them of each trial, of which it was easy for them to make a return: and all he wanted was, the number of trials altogether, which he conceived a matter of great importance to have made known—The motion was then agreed to.