HC Deb 05 February 1900 vol 78 cc584-6
MR. DALY (Monaghan, S.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the 14th instant the Lord Chancellor, the Lord Justice Fitzgibbon, and the Master of the Rolls were sworn Lord Justices for the Government of Ireland during the absence of Lord Cadogan, the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland; whether he is aware that Sir R. Martin and the Right Hon. J. M. Meade were also present but were disqualified from acting owing to their being Roman Catholics; and whether he will advise the Government to legislate during the present session of Parliament to remove the religious disabilities under which Roman Catholics suffer in Ireland.

MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. G. W. BALFOUR)

The facts are as stated in the first and second paragraphs. Under the provisions of Section 12 of the Act 10th George IV., c. 7, Roman Catholics are legally disqualified from holding the office mentioned. The Government cannot undertake to introduce legislation in the present session in the direction suggested in the third paragraph.

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

Considering that there is a Bill before this House to remove these disabilities, will the Government give it their support?

MR. ATKINSON

That question should not be addressed to me.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Were not the gentlemen who were sworn in as Lords Justices themselves Roman Catholics?

MR. ATKINSON

That question does not arise. By law, Roman Catholics are disqualified for the office.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is not this disqualification under the Act which makes all priests felons?

MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

Do not the Government profess in England to give equal rights to all men, irrespective of religion?

MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN

Are not Catholics good enough to be shot down in South Africa?

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

What will Kruger say?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!