§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what were the circumstances which influenced the appointment of Mr. Edward O'Farrell, B.L., to the position of Assistant Under-Secretary; and if he will state in what respects this gentleman's qualifications for the position were considered to be superior to those possessed by Sir F. Cullinan, C.B., the Senior Principal Clerk of the Chief Secretary's office.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) To anyone acquainted with Mr. O'Farrell's services in the Land Commission, the first part of the Question would appear to be quite superfluous. I should strongly deprecate the invidious task of instituting a comparison between Mr. O'Farrell's qualifications and those of Sir Frederick Cullinan, whose ability and public services have been recognised by successive Governments and are fully appreciated by the Lord-Lieutenant, and, if I may say so, by myself.