HC Deb 30 April 1872 vol 210 cc2017-8
MR. BUTT

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the assurance given as to the holding of public meetings in the Royal Parks is to be understood as applying to the Phœnix Park?

MR. GLADSTONE

, in reply, said, in strictness the assurance given by the Government as to the holding of public meetings in the Royal Parks, with reference to the Bill which had lately passed that House, did not apply to Phœnix Park, because that Park was not included in the Bill, and was placed under a government different from that which had charge of the other Royal Parks, and was vested in the Irish Board of Works. While the proceedings undertaken for the occurrences of last year were pending, it was deemed better not to deal with the case of the Phœnix Park. As to the substance of the Question, he could give a distinct answer, which would be more satisfactory if it was in the form of a quotation from a declaration made by the Secretary for Ireland last year. It was to the effect that the subject of public meetings in Phœnix Park would be taken into immediate consideration, and meanwhile the Government would not interfere with any meetings, otherwise unobjectionable, held in a part of the Park not inconvenient to the public, or to persons residing in the Park. It was probable the Park would require to be made the subject of legislation; but until that was done, the declaration made by his noble Friend would be carried out.