§ MR. O'SHEEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that jurors were summoned to the assizes at Water-ford just concluded from all parts of the county, though no case was for trial; and, in order to be present at the opening of the assizes, it is necessary for jurors in some districts of the county to leave home the day before owing to want of railway facilities; and can he explain why steps are not taken to notify jurors that their attendance is not required at assizes, in the same way as in reference to quarter sessions when no criminal case stands for hearing; and if an amendment of the law is necessary, whether he would undertake to treat a Bill for the purpose as an unopposed Bill.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe explanation why the practice at assizes and quarter sessions is different is that the Quarter Sessions (Jurors) Act, 1897, does not apply to assizes. At the time that Act 262 was introduced it was most anxiously considered whether it would be possible to apply its provisions to assizes, and for many reasons, which it is impossible to state in answer to a question, it was decided that the Act could not be so extended. The reply to the last question is therefore in the negative.