§ MR. M'GOVERNI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland is he aware that the agent to the Earl of Clanricarde, who is high sheriff for the county of Cavan, on 1st July, without notice, broke open the door of the room in the court house which has been used by the finance committee of the county council for its meetings and by the secretary of the county council for his private office, removed the papers therein, and put a lock of his own on it; and, on same date, took possession of a room which the Cavan Urban Council has used as an office and for its meetings since 1854; did the late secretary of the Cavan grand jury always use the room in which the finance committee transacted its business as a private office; and as neither of those rooms was required for the use of the judges or bar in discharge of their duties, do the Government intend to take any notice of this gentleman's conduct or make any change in the law, so that county councils in Ireland shall have full control over the court houses which have been built and maintained at the expense of the ratepayers, except when required at assizes or quarter sessions.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThis question has been referred to the high sheriff for his observations, but, so far, they have not been received. I am unable, therefore, to reply to the several queries in reference to the matters of fact put to me in the question. The custody of assize and quarter sessions courts is vested in the sheriff, and prima facie he has a right to determine when they may be used for purposes other than the administration of justice. In the absence of the information referred to it would be premature to say whether or not he exercised that right wisely in the present instance. For the reasons given in the discussion in Committee on Clause 72 of the Local Government Act, 1898, the Government do not consider it expedient to alter the existing law.
§ MR. M'GOVERNDoes the right hon. Gentleman expect to get the information I have asked for?
§ MR. WYNDHAMI hope so.
§ MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)What right has a high sheriff to seize any chamber in which a county council keeps its books and papers?
§ MR. WYNDHAMThese buildings are vested in the high sheriff, and it is for him to determine to what extent they are needed for the conduct of public business by the county council or any other body. It is a matter for his discretion, and if the county council are not satisfied they must appeal to the Lord Lieutenant.
§ MR. FLAVINDoes the right hon. Gentleman say the high sheriff has absolute power of taking possession?