§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists respecting the appointment of an English architect to act jointly with an Irish architect in the erection of the College of Science and Art in Dublin; and whether he can explain why it was necessary to import an architect, in view of the fact that competent professional men were available for the work in Ireland.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY OF THE TREASURY (Mr. VICTOR CAVENDISH,) Derbyshire, W.I am not aware of any dissatisfaction on this subject. There is no Irish architect who has any experience in building a College of Science, or has especial knowledge of the intricate technical details which have to be borne in mind in constructing such a building according to modern requirements. Mr. Aston Webb has the greatest knowledge and experience of this class of work.
§ * MR. MOONEY (Dublin County, S.)Has not the hon. Gentleman received a copy of the resolution passed by the Institute of Irish Architects? Is it the deliberate opinion of the Treasury that there is no architect in Ireland competent to undertake this work?
§ MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHI have not seen the resolution.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDThe right hon. Gentleman says he is not aware of any dissatisfaction on the subject. Is he not aware of the fact that protests have been made by the representatives of Ireland in this House?
§ MR. VICTOR CAVENDISHI was not aware that any resolution had been passed. I must point out that an Irish architect has also been engaged.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDBut I want to know what the hon. Gentleman means by saying that he is not aware of any dissatisfaction on the matter when dissatisfaction has been emphatically expressed by the representatives of Ireland in this matter.
§ MR. LONSDALEMay I ask whether, I in view of the dissatisfaction in Dublin, the college will be removed to Belfast.