§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked Mr. Attorney General for Ireland, Whether the Keeper of the Freemans' Roll, in the town of Galway, has yet signified 595 his intention of holding a Court this year for the admission of freemen?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, he was not aware whether the Keeper of the Galway Freeman's Roll had signified his intention of holding a Court this year; but he believed that he had not yet announced his intention of holding such a Court for the admission of freemen. The hon. Member asked him a similar Question this time last year, and the Answer he gave then was that the Court should be held on the 1st of September.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked whether the right hon. and learned Gentleman did not consider that it was necessary that a Court should be held, and whether the Keeper was not obliged by the laws regulating his office to hold the Court?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, he had no doubt whatever that this officer was obliged, the same as every other officer performing similar duties, to properly discharge them. He believed that, under the Municipal Corporations Act, these officers were compelled to give notice of the holding of the Court in January of each year.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORasked whether, in view of the fact that this officer had allowed his duties in this respect to fall into disuse for the last four or five years, the right hon. and learned Gentleman would correspond with him and warn him of his neglect?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. W. M. JOHNSON)said, it was no part of his duty to do so, and he was not sure but if he was to ask that gentleman as to the reasons for the neglect, he would not ask him what right he had to put the question. Notwithstanding this, however, he would, if necessary, cause a communication to be addressed to him.