§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether he can 1303 state under what Statute the county councils are called upon to pay for extra police; whether such demands can be enforced; and whether any penalty attaches to a refusal to pay or to an incitement to refuse to pay.
§ THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON,) Londonderry. N.The Statutes are: the 6 & 7 Will. IV. cap. 13; 2 & 3 Vic, cap. 75; 9 & 10 Vic, cap. 97; 11 & 12 Vic, cap. 72; 29 & 30 Vic, cap. 103; 37 & 38 Vic, cap. 80: and Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898. If the hon. Member will look into these Acts he will find all the information he requires. Several modes exist by which these bodies can be compelled to fulfil their [legal obligations.
§ * MK. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid)Arising out of that Question I beg to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether it is not a fact that a claim was made on the City of Limerick for extra police: that the Corporation refused to pay the charge, and that subsequently the claim was withdrawn.
§ MR. ATKINSONwas understood to reply that the cases were not the same.
§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the hon. Member for Mid Armagh has incited the Armagh County Council not to pay.
§ MR. DELANYAnd what is the penalty for such incitement?
§ MR. ATKINSONIt depends on the nature of the incitement whether there is any penalty.
§ * MR. LONSDALEI deny that I have incited the Armagh or any other county council to commit an illegal act. I should like to know if it is in order for an hon. Member to make such a charge.
§ * MR. SPEAKERI did not hear any such charge.