§ MR. WILLIAM CORBET (Wicklow, E.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he is aware that the Grand Jury of the County Wicklow have just thrown out a presentment for the construction of a bridge over the River Vartry, in the county town of Wicklow; whether it is a fact that the only bridge over the river has been condemned as unsafe for vehicular traffic, a condition of things to which the Judge of Assize referred in the following terms —
He would not undertake to advise the Grand Jury as to whether they would be liable or not in the case of accident, but he thought in some shape or form they should discharge their duty in the matter;whether he can state how the Grand Jury is constituted, and whether the members of it are elected or appointed, and by whom; and, is there any superior authority to compel them to take the necessary steps, in the interests of the public at largo, to carry out works of the kind?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)I am informed that the Grand Jury did not throw out a presentment for the con- 352 struction of a bridge; but they came to the conclusion that it would be better to try to secure the existing bridge, for which purpose they have passed a presentment of £600. the matter will come before the Justices and cesspayers at Road Sessions next month, and it will rest with them to decide whether a new bridge is preferable. The constitution and functions of Grand Juries are regulated by Statute.