§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, is he aware that there is a very widespread dissatisfaction in Dublin because the Board of Works prohibited the holding of cycle races in Phœnix Park; and, whether, in consequence of the widespread and daily increasing interest in cycling, he will arrange to allow these races to be held subject to police arrangements as to traffic and the convenience of the general public?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe difficulty in the way of permitting cycle races in Phœnix Park arises from the enormous increase in the number of races and competitors, accompanied by the attendance of professional bookmakers when these races were last held, together with the fact that the Board of Works have at present no statutory powers to regulate the traffic in the park, or the behaviour of the crowd. I will communicate with the Board of Works and with the police authorities, with the view, if possible, of framing such regulations as will admit of races being carried out with due regard to the traffic in the Phœnix 1691 Park, as well as to the safety and convenience of the general public. I ought to add that I am by no means sure whether this is possible in the present state of the law, either in regard to the making of those regulations or the enforcing of them.
§ MR. J. O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)asked if the police had any power in the matter?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURsaid he was unable to say.