§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)To ask Mr. Attorney-General for Ireland whether it is competent for the memorialists who approached the Duke of Abercorn with respect to the appointment of Catholic magistrates to the petty sessions bench of Pettigo, and whose memorial was not acknowledged by the Duke of Abercorn, to approach the Lord Chancellor of Ireland directly on this matter; and whether it is competent for the Lord Chancellor to appoint to the Commission of the Peace persons of whose competence to discharge magisterial functions he may be satisfied, even although such persons be not recommended to him by the lieutenant of the county.
(Answered by Mr. Atkinson.) The Answer is in the affirmative to both Questions. I am not aware if the communication alluded to has been addressed 1172 to the Duke of Abercorn. The Lord Chancellor always considers most carefully all recommendations, and, according to practice, consults the lieutenant of the county on the subject.