§ MR. MONKasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, in reference to the recent nominations of Sheriffs for Westmeath and Louth, Whether he is prepared to state what is the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown for Ireland as to any qualification being requisite for the office of High Sheriff of an Irish County?
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, in reply, he had not yet received the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown upon the general question raised by his hon. Friend, which was one of very considerable complexity and great importance. With regard to the particular cases referred to, Her Majesty's Government had no doubt that the present sheriffs of Westmeath and Louth were legally qualified to serve. He did not think it would be well to produce any of the Correspondence on the subject until the matter had been completely investigated, and the Government placed in possession of the completed opinion of the Law Officers in regard to it.