§ MR. W. ORMSBY GOREsaid, he wished to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If he is in a position to say whether the Government is aware of the general wish of the Irish Representatives upon the question of the Rail-ways in Ireland, and is prepared to deal with that question in accordance with that wish?
MR. GLADSTONEsaid, the Government was aware of the general wish expressed—not only by the Irish Representatives but also by many Peers and other persons of great weight and importance—on the question of the railways of Ireland, that the Government would introduce a measure on the basis of the Report of the Irish Railway Commission. He presumed, however, that the Question of the hon. Gentleman included generally the intention of the Government with regard to Irish railways; because, though the second Report. on the Irish railways indicated one way of dealing with them, yet there might possibly be other methods of dealing with them which would be equally efficient. However, he had to say this, that they were aware of the desire entertained by the Representatives of Ireland, and by persons of great weight and import- 1578 ance; there was a strong reason why they should give their most careful and respectful attention to this question. The hon. Member, however, would not be surprised when he told him that, during the four or five months that had elapsed since they were in Office, it had not been in their power to deal with this kind of question, and to give it that attention which was required both by its own importance, and by the unusual character of the measures which it was proposed to take. He could only, therefore, promise, on the part of the Government, that, at the earliest period which it was in their power, they would give that careful consideration to the subject which its importance deserved; though it would be wrong for hon. Gentlemen to anticipate from the colour of his answer what the result of that consideration would be.