HC Deb 21 April 1898 vol 56 cc634-5
MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether there are any Roman Catholic Privy Councillors in Ireland who are legally qualified to act as Lord Justice General and General Governors of Ireland during the absence of the Viceroy; whether any Roman Catholics have ever been appointed as Lord Justices; and, if Roman Catholics are legally qualified, will he explain why they have not been appointed?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

Under the provisions of Section 12 of the Act 10, George IV., cap. 7, Roman Catholics are legally disqualified from holding the office mentioned in the Question.

MR. P. O'BRIEN

Do the Government propose to take any steps to remove the disqualification?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

No, Sir.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is Act 10, George IV., commonly known as the Catholic Emancipation Act?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

Yes, Sir.