§ MR. J. G. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is the fact that the Petty Session Courthouse at Pettigo is used for the meetings of the Orange Lodge; and whether, as the Court-house is paid for by the ratepayers of the county, the Irish Government will take any and, if so, what steps to prevent meetings of a party character being held in the Court-house.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am informed that the fact is as stated in the first paragraph. The magistrates' room is rented by the Grand Jury pursuant, to the provisions of Section 8 of the Petty Sessions Act, and I have no reason for believing that the occupation of the room for party purposes is with the sanction of the magistrates. On the contrary, I believe it has always been the practice of magistrates throughout the several Petty Sessions districts in Ireland not to permit their Court to be used for party purposes where the building is under their control. In the present instance that appears not to be the case, but I am making further inquiry into the matter.
§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLIs the right honourable Gentleman aware that the records of this Court are open to the inspection of the members of this Lodge?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI should think that that is very improbable.