§ MR. W. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that the Secretary of Public Works has issued a notice for bidding the use of the steps of the Custom House for meetings; and whether it is intended to interfere with the right of public meeting so long exercised at that place by the citizens of Dublin?
§ MR. HANBURYThe use of the Custom House steps for meetings causes serious inconvenience to the public service. It is difficult for persons requiring to enter or leave the premises to do so during the meetings, or for the watchmen and police effectually to safeguard the Custom House, and damage has been done to the building. It has, therefore, become necessary to prohibit the holding of meetings on these steps, but there is no intention of interfering with any right of public meeting in the open space adjoining.