QUESTION. (Hansard, 14 June 1860)

§ MR. MAGUIRE

said, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether the labours of the Brehon Law Commission are yet brought to a close, and if not, when it is supposed they may be; whether it is not a fact that the work commenced in 1852 was to have been completed in three years from that date; and whether the gentlemen engaged on it are remunerated by annual salary, or by a contract for a certain sum? He would also beg to ask, whether the Royal Irish Academy, to which Parliament makes an annual Grant, is open to the public for consultation and for reference to its literary contents; for reading and extracting, as in the British Museum; and, if not, what is the reason why the same system of free reference, reading, and extraction, is not adopted in the Irish as in the English Institutions?

§ MR. CARDWELL

said, the transcription of the Brehon laws was completed, and it was confidently expected that the 424 translation would be completed in the course of the present year. The opinion entertained at the commencement was, that the work would be completed in seven years, and notwithstanding that the work grew in its progress, he was happy to say that the expectation would be realized. The gentlemen engaged upon the work, who were selected for their special knowledge of the Irish language, were paid a very moderate remuneration, and their duties had been very faithfully performed. The Commission was composed of some of the most eminent men in Ireland, and it was due to Dr. Graves, who had acted gratuitously, as Secretary to the Commission, and rendered most valuable service, to mention his name. With regard to the second question, he was informed that the Royal Irish Academy was open not only to members, but to all persons recommended by a member, or known to the librarian; in short, every respectable person was freely invited to it. With regard to transcription, there were certain regulations adopted. If a perfectly unrestricted power of transcribing manuscripts were given, ancient and interesting manuscripts would be subject to addition and alteration, and it was, therefore, necessary to make some rules. Any person known to the Council might transcribe for himself; or if he did not desire to do so, he might employ the person authorized by the Council; or if he selected another scribe, the latter must have the approval of the Council.