§ Mr. WILLIAM O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if the Department of the Attorney General in Ireland or that of the Woods and Forests has the duty of defending Crown property or asserting Crown rights in that country; has his attention been called to the fact that in the litigation respecting Lough Neagh, the grant of Charles I. to Lord Chichester of 1640, in consideration of which the lough was surrendered to the Crown, was not put in evidence by the plaintiff; does this grant show that the Crown bestowed property worth over a million sterling on Lord Chichester in consideration of the surrender of Lough Neagh; is it, notwithstanding, the fact that in 1661 Lord Chichester obtained a re-grant from the Crown of Lough Neagh on the pretence that he got nothing in return for its surrender, and alleged that Charles I. promised him a pension of £40 a year which has not been paid; will the Law Officers be instructed to investigate whether the recitals on this subject in the Patent of 1661 as to the considerations which moved the Crown to re-grant the lough show that the King was deceived in his grant; and, if so, will any steps be taken to quash or recall the patent by those who have the duty of protecting the Crown revenues or maintaining public right, if they come to the conclusion that the recitals therein show that it was obtained by false pretences?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYThe Commissioners of Woods and Forests appear to be the persons entrusted with the protection and defence of Crown property in lands in Ireland. I am not aware of the particulars of the recent trial in the case referred to by the hon. Member, nor have I the materials to deal with the suggestions put forward in the hon. Gentleman's question. When the judgment of the House of Lords is published, it will be carefully considered.