§ MR. HAYDEN (Leitrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the refusal last Friday by the Roscommon County at Large Presentment Sessions, chiefly constituted of Magistrates, to pass a presentment for extra police; after such an expression of opinion, do the Government intend to continue this taxation for extra police; what is the number of constabulary, including extra men stationed in the county; what is the number of the free quota; and how many of the free quota are stationed in the county and how many in the depôt?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. MADDEN,) Dublin UniversityIt is the case that at the recent Roscommon County at Large Presentment Sessions disapproval of the claim for extra police was expressed, on the ground of the present condition of the county. Since the period, however, covered by that claim, a considerable reduction appears to have been made in the extra force serving in the county, it having been reduced within the past year by one-half—namely, from twenty to ten; and this number will be further reduced as soon as the responsible authorities are of opinion that this can be done with safety to the peace of the county. The police establishment of Roscommon consists at present of 323 free quota and ten extra force; in all, 333 sergeants and 1436 constables, of whom, on April 30th, 1892, 322 were stationed in the county and eleven were in training at the depôt.
§ MR. HAYDENWho is the responsible authority to decide as to the necessary force?
§ MR. MADDENThose who are responsible for the peace of the district.