HC Deb 05 May 1845 vol 80 cc174-5
Mr. E. B. Roche

wished to ask the right hon. Baronet whether it was the intention of the Government this Session to bring in an Act on the subject of the franchise and registration of voters in Ireland; and also, whether it was their intention to alter the Irish Municipal Reform Act, so as to place the municipal bodies of Ireland on a footing of equality with those of England?

Sir R. Peel

said, he felt great difficulty in giving any assurance as to the time a particular Bill would be brought in. He could, however, assure the hon. Gentleman that it was the intention of the Government that business connected with Ireland should have full consideration. He intended to proceed in the first instance with the Maynooth Grant Bill; and on Friday next his hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department would state to the House the general outlines of the measure which the Government proposed with respect to academical education. He thought it desirable to give that Bill precedence over every other measure, excepting the Maynooth Grant Bill. He was much pressed the other night by the hon. Member for Kerry, who wished to know his intentions with respect to the introduction of a mea- sure founded upon or connected with the Report of the Landlord and Tenant Commission in Ireland. He hoped at an early period after the recess some measure on the subject would be brought in, either in that or the other House of Parliament, In addition to these measures, they had prepared a measure on the subject of registration and municipal corporations in Ireland; but they thought it would be better first to proceed with those which he had first mentioned, as of most importance. With regard to the Municipal Corporation Bill, it was founded on the principle of giving the same equality of franchise with respect to municipal corporations in Ireland which existed in this country.

Lord J. Russell

said, as he understood from the right hon. Baronet a Registration Bill was prepared for Ireland, he wished to know whether the franchise would be contained in it?

Sir R. Peel

Yes.