THE O'CONOR DONsaid, it was not his intention, at that late hour, to proceed with a Motion of so much importance as the one of which he had given Notice, respecting University Education in Ireland. But he did venture to ask the Government to give him some facilities for bringing it on, especially as the Morning Sitting of that day 1896 had deprived him of what otherwise would have been a very favourable opportunity. The opportunities of bringing forward Motions of that kind were now very small; and as the question was one of very great importance, he hoped the Leader of the House would be able to hold out some hopes of being able to give him some opportunity of introducing the Motion at a reasonably early hour. He did not want it made the First Order, and if it could come on about 10.30 or 11 o'clock, that would be quite sufficient.
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUERreplied that he would be very glad, if it were in his power, to facilitate the bringing on of the Motion, which he recognized as one of very great importance. He should have thought it was hardly too late even then to bring on the question; but it was a matter of which the hon. Gentleman was himself the best judge. He could not make any promise for that week, at all events; and it was always inconvenient to take the course suggested, because it involved postponing the Orders, a Motion for which might in itself raise debate. The hon. Gentleman might possibly be able to find an opportunity on that day week; but if he could not do that, he (the Chancellor of the Exchequer) would be very glad to see if he could help him in what he desired.
THE MARQUESS OF HARTINGTONsaid, he was quite aware of the difficulties under which the Government laboured in a matter of that kind, and he was, therefore, quite sure his hon. Friend (the O'Conor Don) would avail himself of any opportunities which might come in his way. If, however, his hon. Friend was not successful, then he trusted the Government would take into consideration the appeal which had been made to them, not only on the ground that the Morning Sitting had deprived his hon. Friend of a chance he otherwise would have had, but because of the great importance of the question and the extreme fitness of his hon. Friend for the task he had undertaken. Since that House had lost the services of the late Mr. Butt, whose death they all deeply regretted, he thought the House would agree with him that a task of that kind could not have fallen into better hands. The subject was one with which it was at one time understood the Govern- 1897 ment themselves intended to deal this Session, and they had thereby led the House to suppose that they were not indifferent to its importance. If it became necessary, he thought the Government would do well to consider whether they could not grant the request of his hon. Friend.
THE O'CONOR DONsaid, after the statement of the Chancellor of the Exchequer he would postpone the Bill to that day week, and, should he be again unsuccessful, he trusted he might then make an appeal to the right hon. Gentleman.