§ MR. M'CARTHY DOWNINGasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether it be the fact that the Irish Judges have decided that in actions for libel they have no discretion as to costs, under the Act 31 and 32 Vic. c. 69, and that they are bound to certify for full costs where there is a verdict for the plaintiff, even though the damages be one farthing; and, if so, whether it be his intention to bring in a Bill to amend the Law and remedy this anomaly?
MR. ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Dr. BALL)Sir, no decision of this character has been come to. There has been a decision of a single Judge—not of the Judges collectively. But the question is of less importance, because in the Judicature Bill there is a clause which leaves the question of costs 392 in every action, whether legal or equitable, at the discretion of the Court.