§ MR. AGAR-ELLISsaid, he wished to ask the First Commissioner of Works, Whether Ireland will be included in any measure he may bring in for protection of Ancient Monuments, as indicated in his answer to the hon. Member for Buckingham (Sir Harry Verney) on the 2nd instant?
§ MR. LAYARDSir, the First Commissioner of Works has no control or jurisdiction in Ireland. The Irish Board of Works is under the Treasury. There are many most valuable and interesting national monuments in Ireland which ought to be placed under proper supervision, as many such monuments in Scotland are, and I think that the time is come when they ought to be taken care of and preserved. My attention has been called to the subject by many communications which I have received from Ireland; and I may especially allude to one from Lord Talbot de Malahide, the President of the Royal Irish Society, who has most kindly offered to be of any assistance to me in the matter. I can only say, that if it should be determined to place the national monuments of Ireland, like those of Scotland, under the care and jurisdiction of the Office of Works, I would do my utmost to take measures to preserve them. But this is a matter which does not rest with me.