§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether any public announcement was made of the resignation of the late Treasury Remembrancer for Ireland, and, if so, when, where, and how was it announced; what was the date of the resignation and the date of the appointment of Mr. Hewby to the vacancy; if no public announcement was made of the vacancy, what opportunity had Irishmen to apply for the position; whether he will inquire if this may be the reason why no Irishman applied; and will he see that in future such vacancies are duly announced and reasonable time afforded for Irishmen to apply.
§ MR. MULDOON (Wicklow, E.)I beg also to ask the Secretary to the Treasury what was the date of the retirement of Sir Robert Holmes, lately Treasury Remembrancer for Ireland, and on what date was his resignation accepted; what was the date of the appointment of his successor; and whether any person responsible for the government of Ireland was consulted before the present Remembrancer was appointed, and, if so, what person.
§ THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. HOBHOUSE, Bristol, E.)No official announcement was made of Sir Robert Holmes's resignation. His retirement takes effect from to-day, and His successor enters on the duties of the office to-morrow. The names of several persons, both in Great Britain and Ireland, were considered for the appointment; and I do not think that any advantage could have been gained by giving wider publicity to the vacancy in the Office.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENWas any Irishman consulted as to whether he would accept the post, and if not, why not?
§ MR. HOBHOUSEI have said that several names were considered of persons both in Great Britain and Ireland.
§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIENDid any Irishman have an opportunity of applying for the appointment?
§ MR. HOBHOUSESeveral names were considered.
§ MR. MULDOONDid the hon. Gentleman consult any person responsible for the government of Ireland before the appointment was made?
§ MR. HOBHOUSENo, sir.
§ MR. LONSDALEDoes the hon. Gentleman suggest there was no Irishman capable of filling the post?
§ MR. HOBHOUSEI have suggested nothing of the sort.
§ MR. HUGH LAW (Donegal, W.)Will the Government consider the advisability of abolishing the office altogether, and thus relieving Ireland of one burden?
§ [No Answer was returned.]