HC Deb 24 March 1898 vol 55 c762
MR. D. CRILLY (Mayo, N.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he has seen or received a copy of a resolution passed by the Dublin Corporation on Monday directing his attention to the fact that some time ago a body of workmen in the north of Ireland, when making excavations, discovered a number of golden Celtic ornaments of a very rare character, which, in the first instance, should have been offered to the National Museum in Dublin, but which, instead, were purchased at a high price for the British Museum; and strongly urging on the Government the desirability of having those Celtic ornaments transferred from the British Museum to the National Museum in Dublin; and whether, in the spirit of this resolution, he will use his influence to have these ornaments restored to the country whose national art they illustrate?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I have seen the resolution referred to. I understand that in the absence of legislation no power exists to transfer these ornaments from the British Museum to the National Museum in Dublin. If I may express my personal view on the subject, I think it is to be regretted that the ornaments did not find their way to the National Museum in Dublin in the first instance.

MR. W. REDMOND

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman in this connection whether he will allow the Bill which I have introduced, giving power to transfer these—

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! That does not arise out of the Question on the Paper.