HC Deb 02 May 1898 vol 57 cc25-6
MR. T. M. HEALY

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether, in order to secure the Mayor of Wexford his statutable right to procedure within the borough, it can be arranged that cases appertaining to the borough shall be heard separately from those outside his jurisdiction; or can he suggest any other plan to secure obedience to the law which confers precedence upon the Mayor?

MR. ATKINSON

The question of the Mayor's precedence is one which concerns him and his brother magistrates and not the Crown, since it does not affect the validity of the orders of the court, and it is not my province to make any suggestions in reference to it, beyond what I have already said—namely, that if his rights have been infringed he can get redress in a court of law.

MR. T. M. HEALY

May I ask whether it is not the function of the right honourable Gentleman to see that the law is obeyed, and whether, as the Mayor is entitled by statute to precedence within the borough, he can arrange that the borough court be held separately from the County Court; and, if the right honourable Gentleman cannot answer the Question, would he kindly say which Government Department can answer it?

MR. ATKINSON

It concerns no Government Department.

MR. W. REDMOND (Clare, E.)

In connection with this matter, I would ask the right honourable Gentleman whether it is a fact that for years past the Mayor of Wexford has exercised the right of presiding at Petty Sessions without opposition?

MR. ATKINSON

I am not aware of the fact, and I would ask the honourable Member to give notice of the Question.