§ MR. CAREW (Meath, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will say by whose authority excavations have been carried out at the historic mounds on the Hill of Tara; and whether it is the intention of the Government to take steps to preserve these historical memorials from destruction.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (MR. WYNDHAM, Dover)The excavations were carried out under the authority of the owner of the land. They were stopped by him in June last, and have not since, I believe, been renewed. It is eminently desirable that these ancient monuments should be preserved, and I shall be glad to take any steps within my power to that end. I cannot, however, as at present advised, undertake to introduce legislation.