§ MR JOHN ROCHE (Galway, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the constabulary authorities have made a demand for £566 on the Galway County Council, being the alleged cost of extra police, but which the Council decline to pay; and whether, in view of the peaceable condition of the county, he can state on what ground the constabulary authorities base this demand for the cost of police in excess of the 103 normal number to which the county is entitled.
MR. BRYCEA claim for £610 has been made against the County Council of Galway in respect of extra police for the half year which ended on 30th September, 1905, and the County Council have, so far, declined to meet the claim. I need hardly say that the matter occurred before His Majesty's present Government came into office; but I am informed that the services of the extra force were necessary for the preservation of the peace in connection with the agitation against the grazing system in the country. No extra police above the established force are now serving in the county.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIG (Antrim, S.)In view of the numerous cases of intimidation, boycotting, firing into houses, etc., in County Galway, is it correct to speak of the peaceable condition of the county?
Mr. BRYCEIt is not the case that such offences are very numerous. Compared with previous periods they are comparatively rare.
§ MR. CONOR O'KELLY (Mayo, N.)Is it not the fact that the cost of the extra police now being charged against Galway has not already been voted for the maintenance of the very same men in other counties? What has become of the money?
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGTo what periods of history docs the Chief Secretary refer in his Answer to me?
§ MR. CONOR O'KELLYHas the number of police kept at any time within the county in the last year exceeded the total to which the county was declared entitled at the last revision.