§ Mr. JOHN PHILLIPSasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he will take proceedings to protect the innocent ratepayers for the future from the punishment imposed upon them by extra police taxation for crimes that they not only take no part in, but detest and abhor, namely, cattle-driving, the acts of a few irresponsible parties and thoughtless young boys?
§ Mr. CHERRYAdditional police have been appointed to certain counties under the Constabulary Act of 1836 in consequence of their unsatisfactory condition. There is no alternative under the existing law, but to charge for the men so sent. There has, I am happy to say, been a very considerable decrease in cattle-driving, but the responsible police authorities are 2288 not yet prepared to recommend the withdrawal of the extra police. I trust that the ratepayers will show their detestation of the crimes which have been committed by assisting the Government in every way to prevent their recurrence. In this way they will also be assisting themselves by hastening the time when the extra police will be removed.
§ Mr. J. C. FLYNNIs not the use of the word "crimes" rather a misuse in this case?
§ Mr. CHERRYThe word is used in the question.
§ Mr. H. BELLOCIs there any other civilised country in which a whole district is thus made to pay for the misconduct of a few?
§ Mr. CHERRYIt exists in England, where the district pays the whole cost of the police. In Ireland the district only pays for the extra police.
§ Mr. JOHN PHILLIPSBut are people punished for crimes which they have not committed?
§ Mr. CHERRYNobody is punished for a crime which he has not committed.