§ MR. T. P. O'CONNOR (for Mr. HEALY)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, How many Managers of National Schools in Ireland have complained to the Commissioners of the injustice to their schools of the average of seventy; how many of those were prelates of the Catholic Church or dignitaries of any other Christian denomination; and, in view of this large consensus of opinion, will he annul or modify this Rule?
§ THE SOLICITOR GENERAL FOR, IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)Sir, several individual remonstrances have been addressed by managers of schools to the Commissioners; but the precise number of such remonstrances could not be ascertained in time for reply to this Question. The Catholic Archbishop of Dublin has also remonstrated on behalf of the Catholic Prelates. Several Catholic clergy, on behalf of their brethren, and an Education Committee of the General Assembly, have also remonstrated. It is only the Board which can annul or modify the rule, and the Chief Secretary cannot do so of his own mere motion.