§ MR. LONSDALEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he will state the number of cattle-drives reported from North Clare prior to the 20th September; whether an official shorthand writer attended the meeting held on that date under the auspices of the United Irish League at Lisdoonvarna; whether he furnished a transcript of the notes of speeches made by the hon. Members for East Clare and East Limerick; whether, the transcript discloses any expression of encouragement or disapproval of cattle-driving; and whether he will state the number of cattle-drives that have taken place in that district since the date named.
§ MR. BIRRELLPrior to 20th September last there were fifty-five cattle-drives reported from North Clare, and since then twenty-seven have taken place. No official shorthand-writer attended the meeting held at Lisdoonvarna on the date named.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the fact that, though no shorthand note was taken of the speech the hon. Member for East Clare is perfectly prepared to repeat the speech word for word, only it will take him an hour and three quarters?
§ MR. BIRRELLI am quite sure that is so.