§ Mr. Spring Ricesaid, that the next vote was one of those which were under the consideration of the Committee above-stairs—it was for defraying the expenses of the household of the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland. He could assure the Committee, that all possible pains had been taken to render the estimate as low as possible—it was still under the consideration of a Committee above-stairs, and he had no doubt, that it would obtain, as it merited, their most serious attention. The amount was 16,379l. 14s. 1d.
§ Mr. Huntsaid, that the son of Sir John Byng, who was Comptroller of the Household, had never been in Ireland since his appointment to that office. He could not understand why the public were to pay for sinecure offices.
Mr. Stanleysaid, that Captain Byng, finding it impossible to attend to the duties of his office, in addition to his parliamentary duties, immediately resigned.
Mr. Humebore testimony to the anxiety manifested by the present Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, to effect all possible reductions. But he hoped soon to see the office abolished altogether. He trusted, that the first Session of a Reformed Parliament would put an end to it. Ireland could never enjoy the benefits of the union with this country, so long as she was subject to a colonial system of government.
§ Sir John Newport,on the subject of the office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, would reserve himself till the subject came regularly under the consideration of the House. At present he would only say, he differed wholly from the view taken by the hon. member for Middlesex on the subject.
Sir John Bourkeobserved, that there was a sum of 2,373l. for the payment of the Battle-Axe Guards, and wished for some explanation on that point.
Mr. Stanleysaid, that they formed part of the pageantry attendant upon the office of Lord Lieutenant; that the present members of that body had purchased their situations, and, therefore, could not with any justice be dismissed; but it was intended gradually to abolish them as they fell in.
Mr. O'Connellapproved of the plan of abolishing them as vacancies by death arose; but as to the office of Lord Lieutenant, he could not agree to its abolition; for if there were one subject more than another upon which all Irishmen were unanimous, it was upon the expediency of maintaining that office and the establishments attendant upon it.
§ Mr. Leadersaid, that during the last ten years there had been a falling off of 400,000l. a-year in the Customs and Excise of the city of Dublin. Could it, then, dispense with any of the usual advantages which it at present possessed?
Mr. Humedid not desire the abolition for the mere sake of the pecuniary saving, though that was not inconsiderable, but for the sake of good government in Ireland. Till they got rid of the Lord 933 Lieutenant, there would be nothing like good government in Ireland. If the Irish Members on the other side of the House rose to express their opinions, he was sure they would dissent from those of the hon. and learned member for Kerry.
§ Vote agreed to.