§ MR. HEALYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the Government are considering the position of the Dublin Collector General from an administrative point of view, and apart from the legal question a Court may have to try, if their decision as to the retention of Mr. Byrne in office depends on whether the Land Commission feel themselves technically warranted in ordering a prosecution, or will it be determined by the usual considerations of public policy; and, can he state when he hopes to be able to announce the decision of the Lord Lieutenant as to the retention of Mr. Byrne in office, and that of the Law Officers of the Crown regarding the advisability of a prosecution?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the matter is receiving the most serious consideration, and I will state the decision at as early a date as I can. The question of the retention of Mr. Byrne in office will not depend upon any action which the Land Commission may see fit to take in the matter.