HC Deb 06 July 1905 vol 148 cc1339-40
MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN (Kilkenny, N.)

I beg to ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether any appointment has yet been made to the vacant prosecutorship for county Antrim; and whether, in view of the fact that most of these positions in Ireland are filled by those who differ from the majority of the people of Ireland in religious faith, he will now consent to have a Catholic appointed to the vacancy.

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL FOR IRELAND (Mr. ATKINSON, Londonderry, N.)

The appointment has not yet been made. In making such appointments I have never taken the question of religion into consideration, and never will do so.

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

Will the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that the appointment shall not be given to a barrister who is a Member of the House?

MR. ATKINSON

No, Sir.

MR. JOSEPH DEVLIN

Is it intended to confer it on the hon. Member for North Antrim?

[No Answer was returned.]