§ MR. JASPER TULLY (Leitrim, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether the Executive Government have sanctioned the appointment of the present sub-sheriff of Westmeath; (2) whether he is aware of the circumstances under which this gentleman ceased to be an official of the Bank of Ireland, a previous high sheriff having refused to re-appoint him to his present position; and (3) whether the Irish Executive are satisfied of his fitness to discharge the responsible duties of levying and collecting the sums granted under decrees of Irish courts of justice?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe sub-sheriff is appointed by the high sheriff, who is responsible for his conduct in his office. The sanction of the Executive is not required to the appointment of this office, nor does the Executive inquire into his fitness for the office. I have no knowledge of the matters referred to in the second paragraph.