MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland how many superintendents and inspectors of the Dublin Metropolitan Police have surpassed thirty years of service, and by how much; and whether, seeing that the expert evidence given before the last Commission of Inquiry into the causes of discontent amongst the rank and file of the Dublin police was strongly in favour of the compulsory retirement of officers on the completion of that period of service, he will take steps to cause the. compulsory retirement of the officers referred to, so that the duties of the important positions which they fill may be performed by younger and more vigorous men.
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThere are four superintendents and two inspectors of the Dublin Metropolitan Police whose length of service exceeds thirty years. Of these, three have completed thirty years, two thirty-two years, and one thirty-six years of service. The Commission of Inquiry of 1883 made no recommendation. 1059 in favour of the compulsory retirement of officers of the force upon completion of thirty years of service. They are allowed to retire after this period of service, even though they have not attained the age of sixty years; but the Chief Commissioner is authorised to call upon an officer or constable to retire at any time if it be considered desirable in the interests of the service to take this step. The officers to whom reference is made in the question are active, zealous, and effective police officers, and there is no intention of requiring them to retire from the force.