§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he is aware that the Catholic Chaplain of Donegal Workhouse has resigned in consequence of the refusal 25 of the Protestant majority of the guardians to permit the presence of any Catholic official or to pay a Catholic Catechist for the instruction of the Catholic children; and, what steps he proposes to take to provide for the rights of conscience of the Catholic inmates, numbering nearly ninety per cent, in Donegal Workhouse?
MR. TEEVELYANI am informed that it is the case that the Roman Catholic Chaplain of Donegal Workhouse has resigned on the ground stated. The Guardians, I understand, persist in their refusal to appoint a Catechist, one ground of their refusal being that some years ago the salary of the Chaplaincy was increased by £5, partly on account of his having to catechize the inmates himself. I have already stated that the Local Government Board consider the application for the appointment of a Catechist reasonable, and regret the action of the Guardians; but they have no power to appoint a Catechist. I can only express my hope that the Guardians will alter their decision in the matter.