§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether he has received a Letter from the parish priest of Hollywood, County Down, complaining of the erection of arches decorated with Orange emblems over the streets leading to his chapel, so that the Roman Catholic inhabitants were obliged to pass under them when going to mass; whether it is not a fact that this year, as also on other occasions, divine service was discontinued in consequence; whether he has received a similar communication from Portrush, stating that one of the arches was inscribed with the words "No Popery;" and, whether the Government will institute an inquiry into the matter, and, in case persons holding offices of trust and favour under the Crown shall be found to be implicated in the perpetuation of these insulting customs, the Government will recommend that such persons shall be visited with the marked censure of the Crown?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACH, in reply, said, that as there was no allusion in the Question, of which Notice had been given, to anything which 128 occurred at Portrush, he could give the hon. Member no information on the subject. With regard to Hollywood, it was a fact that this year, as well as last year, the Irish Government did receive a remonstrance from the parish priest of the village, objecting to the erection of arches over the streets. Last year the remonstrance was, in a prophetic spirit, addressed to the Duke of Abercorn. The reply was that the Government saw no reason to interfere, and the same Answer would be given this year. Since the repeal of the Party Processions Act the Irish Government could not act in a matter of this kind, nor could the magistrates or police, except on the sworn information that there was likely to be a breach of the peace. He believed Divine Service had been interrupted at Hollywood; but he was informed it would have been perfectly possible for the Roman Catholic inhabitants to have gone to their chapel by another route. In his opinion, it was greatly to be regretted that so much importance should be attached in Ireland to the colour of these emblems. He could remember the time when on the occasion of an election for a borough in his own county the streets were covered alternately with the colours of the two political parties, and he never heard of anybody objecting to walk under the flags. He should be glad if a little of the English indifference on this subject could be extended to Ireland.
§ MR. MITCHELL HENRYgave Notice that early next Session he would bring under the notice of the House some facts which would have the effect of enlightening the right hon. Baronet's mind as to the meaning of these emblems, which were very different from ordinary party emblems.