§ MR. KENNEDY (Westmeath, N.)I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether he is aware that, under the Local Government Board Order of 9th May, 1899, a petition to the judge of assize, pursuant to Section 10 (3) of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, to be heard at the spring assizes cannot be lodged sooner than the 15th February, while under the rules of court, dated 13th May, 1899, the clerk of the Crown and peace cannot enter a petition for hearing at spring assizes held on 1st March unless lodged by 13th February; and whether he can state who is responsible for this blunder in drafting, and what steps will be taken to give effect to the Act of Parliament dealing with this matter.
§ MR. ATKINSONThere is a possibility of the hitch pointed out in the question in cases where the spring assizes open on the 1st March, but I am not aware that any inconvenience has as yet been experienced. The orders were made by the Local Government Board, the rules by the judges of the Superior Court. I have already taken steps to have the matter reconsidered by the authorities.
§ MR. KENNEDYDid not a case of the kind actually occur at the recent assizes at Trim?
§ *MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The question on the Paper has been fully answered.
§ MR. KENNEDYThen I give notice that I will put another down.