§ MAJOR O'GORMANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, Whether it is the fact that the Royal Irish Constabulary, serving at the Phoenix Park Depot, Dublin, are obliged to pay all compliments to Her Majesty's Military Forces, a courtesy which the latter refuse to extend to the Royal Irish Constabulary when passing, under arms, military barracks and guards; and, if so, whether it is intended to issue orders to the Royal Irish Constabulary to discontinue the practices of paying the compliments alluded to; or to concert measures to ensure that Her Majesty's Military Forces shall, on all similar occasions, pay to the Royal Irish Constabulary similar compliments and salutes?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHThere is no regulation of the Royal Irish Constabulary making it imperative that the members of the Force serving at the depot in the Phoenix Park should pay compliments to the military. It has been customary for them to do so, and for the military to return the compliment. It may possibly have happened that in a few instances the military have failed to return them; but I do not see that there is an occasion for me to take action in the matter.