§ MR. HUGH LAW (Donegal, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that at the recent Assizes for the County of Donegal not a single Roman Catholic was included by the High Sheriff when summoning the Grand Jury; whether he is aware that for many years past no Catholic has ever been so summoned, although the great majority of the people of the county are Catholics; and whether he can take any steps to put an end to the exclusion of Catholics from the Grand Jury.
§ MR. BIRRELLGrand Juries are empanelled by High Sheriffs under the provisions of the Grand Jury Acts. The High Sheriff of County Donegal informs me that one Roman Catholic was on the Grand Jury at the recent Spring Assizes, and that he himself is a Roman Catholic and was lately summoned but did not attend. I understand that in making out the panel the senior grand jurors or their representatives are taken in the first instance, and if a sufficient number of these intimate their intention to attend there is no necessity to summon others. I am assured that there is no exclusion of qualified Catholics.