§ MR. SYNANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, "Whether, notwithstanding that the Roman Catholics in the County Limerick 942 Gaol are 90 per cent. of the inmates, the governor, chief warder, schoolmaster, and other high officials are all Protestant; and, whether, in consequence of the resignation of the governor, a remedy will be applied to that inequality?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, the General Prisons Board inform me that of the 18 officers in Limerick Male Prison, 10 are Roman Catholics; and of the three principal officers—namely, the Governor, chief warder, and clerk, the two former are Protestants. It is impossible to appoint a chief warder who is a Roman Catholic; and I know very well the reason why. [Cries of "Why?"] The reason is, because there is no available officer for that position who is disposable from any other prison. A Governor has not yet been appointed; but I think it will be difficult to make arrangements by which the office can be given to a Roman Catholic.
§ MR. TREVELYANThe answer I have received does not mention the schoolmaster.
§ MR. O'KELLYCan the right hon. Gentleman inform the House why there are no officers disposable for promotion to the position of chief warder?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe reason is that the prisons ranking as first class are not very numerous in Ireland; and, consequently, the officers available for the position of chief warder are not very numerous either.
§ MR. HARRINGTONMight I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether Limerick is a first-class prison at all?
§ MR. TREVELYANIt has been made a first-class prison.