§ MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Westmeath County Council has deputed to a committee its powers under The Agricultural and Technical Instruction Act (Ireland), 1899, which committee is known as the Westmeath Agricultural and Technical Instruction Society, and for- the greater part consists of members of the county council, its place of meeting having been in the county courthouse; whether he is aware that, on Thursday, the 28th February last, the sub-sheriff had the doors of the council chamber locked against the committee and refused admission to the members on the ground that- the room had been cleaned for the Grand. fury for the following day; whether a committee appointed under an Act of Parliament, and recognised by the Agricultural Department, was right in regarding itself as a committee of the county council, and as such entitled to the use of the, courthouse when there was no interference with the administration of justice: and whether any steps will be taken to prevent a repetition of this exercise of the high sheriff's power of control over the courthouses, for the maintenance of which the ratepayers have to pay.
§ THE ATTORNEY GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON,) Londonderry. N.I am aware that the county council has deputed its powers in the manner suggested to the committee named in the question. The committee was right in regarding itself as in effect a committee of the county council. The custody of the courthouse is, however, vested in the sheriff. The primary purpose for which that building is erected and maintained is the administration of 1596 justice. The right of the county council, or its committees, to the use of any portion of the courthouse for the execution of their duties is subsidiary to that purpose. The high sheriff was not only entitled, but hound to take such steps as in his judgment appeared necessary in order to prepare the courthouse for the discharge of the business of the assizes, and that is the action complained of. The reply to the last paragraph is, therefore, in the negative.
§ MR. ATKINSONAt the cost of the ratepayers.
§ MR. HAYDENIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the grand jury were only to meet, the following day. Does it take twenty four hours to prepare the room for their reception?
§ MR. ATKINSONI am not aware of that, but it was the duty of the high sheriff to sec that the room was duly prepared for the assizes,
§ MR. FLAVINThen are the county council compelled to give up the courthouse notwithstanding they want it for the transaction of their business?
§ [No answer was returned.]