§ Lord Eliotmoved the second reading of the Marriages (Ireland) Bill.
Mr. O'Connellwished the act had been a declaratory act, as it would have saved a great deal of trouble, and prevented many anomalies that would otherwise arise. Although eight out of ten of the judges had decided that the marriages in question were invalid, yet their decision was in the nature of an extra-judicial one, and many high authorities, among whom was Mr. Justice Perrin, entertained a different view of the law.
§ Mr. Sergeant Jacksonsuggested the difficulty of the House declaring the law to be the reverse of that which it was held to be by eight out of ten of the judges of the land.
The Attorney-generalsaid, if the act were made declaratory, it would become prospective as well as retrospective; the former question was still under consideration.
§ Lord Eliotobserved, that the subject of the law was under consideration with a view to a permanent and general enactment.
§ Bill read a second time.