§ Mr. CREANasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. George M'Sweeney, who has been appointed by the present Government Crown Prosecutor for the city of Cork, Mr. Robert Donovan, who was appointed secretary to the University Commissioners and subsequently secretary to the National University, and the late Mr. Edward H. Ennis, who was appointed Under-Secretary for Ireland, were editorial writers for the "Freeman's Journal"; that Mr. J. G. M'Sweeney, who was appointed Local Government inspector, was editor of the "Weekly Freeman"; that Mr. M. M'D. Bodkin, who was appointed county court judge for Clare, was an editorial writer for the "Freeman"; that Mr. M. J. Cosgrove, who was appointed Local Government inspector, was a sub-editor in the 2329 employment of the "Freeman's Journal"; that the hon. Member for South Donegal, who has been appointed professor of law in the National University at a salary of £300 a year, chargeable on the Consolidated Fund, and the hon. Member for East Tyrone, who has been appointed professor of national economics in the National University, at a salary of £500 a year, chargeable on the Consolidated Fund, have also been editorial contributors to the "Freeman's Journal"; and whether, in view of the attitude adopted by the "Freeman's Journal" to the land settlement of 1903, he will explain why so large a portion of Government patronage has fallen to members of the "Freeman's" staff?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYAs to the appointment to a professorship in the National University that was no concern of the Irish Government. In the cases of the other gentlemen my right hon. Friend has no knowledge of their past connection (if any) with the journal referred to, and the fact, if it be a fact, that such connection at any time existed had no influence whatever upon their appointments.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYMay I ask if a vacancy now exists in the Chief Magistracy of Dublin, which is going to be given to a member of the "Freeman" staff; also whether the proposed revising barrister who is to be sent down to North Louth to revise my Constituency is a member of the "Freeman" staff?
§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENWith reference to the right hon. Gentleman's answer, can he name any newspaper in the three Kingdoms upon which such a shower of gold has ever fallen?
§ Mr. MOOREWith regard to the first name of a gentleman appointed, was he appointed Crown Prosecutor with his consent; also was he aware chat Mr. M'Sweeney's connection with the "Freeman's Journal" before he appointed him?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI must refer the hon. Member to the answer given in the name of the Chief Secretary. I said he was not aware that Mr. M'Sweeney, who was a friend of mine, was at one time a member of the "Freeman" staff. My predecessor appointed him.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYI ask the right hon. and learned Gentleman for an answer to my question whether the existing vacancy in the Chief Magistracy of 2330 Dublin is about to be given, in addition to all these extraordinary appointments, to another member of the "Freeman" staff, and will he have any objection also to state whether we can have a Select Committee of Inquiry into this extraordinary state of things—this attempt to corrupt public opinion in Ireland?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYIt is quite impossible for me at the present time, when the vacancy is still unfilled, to state what appointment will be made.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYCan we have any assurance that the great City of Dublin is not going to be put under a journalist out of the "Freeman" office?
§ Mr. CREANIs it competent for a person holding an honorary position on a county council to accept office under that council, and if that is so why is it that in the University College, Dublin, men holding honorary positions have been successful in getting into office?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI cannot see what that has to do with the matter.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEWill the right hon. and learned Gentleman undertake that all future appointments shall be divided between the staff of the "Belfast News Letter" and the "Cork Free Press"?