§ MR. VANCEsaid, he wished to call attention to the insufficient accomodation afforded to the Bar, the suitors, and the public in the Court in which the sittings in Bankruptcy and Insolvency are held in Dublin; and to move for Copy of any Correspondence which had taken place between the Judges of the Court and the Government on the subject. It was un- 1184 derstood that plans and estimates for building new courts had been prepared two years ago, but the hopes held out had seen appointed, and no Vote for the purpose had been proposed in the Estimates. The entire bankruptcy business of Ire-and and a great part of the insolvency business, were carried on in the court, and the business had greatly increased since 1857. Owing to that increase of business, there was very little room in the present building for the Bar, the suitors, or the public. The inconveniences were very great to everybody concerned, and the mercantile public of Ireland were very anxious that there should be an inquiry on the subject.
MR. PEELsaid, he would not deny that the accommodation provided in the courts to which the hon. Gentleman referred was of a character unsuited for permanent occupation, and that considerable inconvenience had resulted. He was not aware, however, that any promise to provide a remedy had been held out as long ago as two years. The first he heard of the subject was in the previous March, when the Estimates for public buildings in Ireland had practically been prepared. Even if the estimate of £12,000 for the construction of these new courts lad been previously received, it would not lave made any difference, the Estimate for public buildings in Ireland that year exceeding by one-fifth the average amount. It was quite possible that the Commission then sitting to inquire into the Irish law courts might lead to considerable reductions and amalgamations, in which case it would probably become unnecessary to erect additional buildings. The subject, however, would be kept in mind.
COLONEL DUNNEsaid, he hoped the Government would do something more than keep the subject in mind. He must protest against the lavishing on new streets and every kind of public luxury in England of sums of money that would give the Irish people the accommodation they so urgently needed. The Bankruptcy Court was quite as necessary as the buildings at South Kensington, and vastly more useful.
§ Motion agreed to.
§
Copy ordered,
Of any Correspondence which has taken place between the Judges of the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Court (Dublin), as to the insufficient accommodation now afforded to the bar, the suitors, and the public in that Court."—(Mr. Vance.)