MR. PATRICK O'BRIENI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the petty sessions district of Poyntz Pass, with half the population belonging to the Roman Catholic religion, there is not, and never has been, a magistrate belonging to that religious faith; whether, of the four existing 'magistrates, three consist of the local landlord, his son, and his agent; and whether he will consider the advisability of recommending the appointment to the commission of the peace some local Roman Catholic gentleman?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURIt appears to be a fact that there is no justice of the peace belonging to the Roman Catholic religion in attendance at the Poyntz Pass petty sessions, but I cannot say whether such has always been the case. Two of the existing justices are related as father and son, but they do not act together, and the two remaining justices in the district are unconnected 931 with them. The Lord Chancellor and the lieutenant of the county are at all times ready to consider the names of any properly qualified persons that may be submitted to them for appointment to the Commission of the Peace.