§ MR. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)I beg to ask the Attorney General for Ireland, (1) if the attention of the Government has been called to the empanelling of the Rev. A. N. Haire-Forster, J. P., as a grand juror at the present Monaghan Assizes; (2) is it legal for a clergyman in Holy Orders to be sworn a grand juror; and, (3) is it the case that, when some years ago the Rev. A. H. Packenham was summoned on the Antrim Grand Jury, the going Judge of Assizes refused to allow him to be sworn?
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELANDThe answers to the first and second questions are in the affirmative. As to the third question it is the fact that the Rev. Mr. Packenham, on being sworn on the Antrim Grand Jury in the year 1860, was objected to, and then withdrew. But I have been unable to ascertain whether any decision was given on the question of qualification. I may mention that the Rev. Mr. Forster has not held any ecclesiastical office for a period of 12 years, and that he is a large landed proprietor.