HC Deb 05 August 1912 vol 41 cc2658-9
81. Mr. MULDOON

asked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been called to the fact that Daniel McCarthy, clerk of the union, Skibbereen, has recently been sworn in as a justice of the peace for the county of Cork; whether the Lord Chancellor of Ireland had previously to this appointment expressed his determination not under any circumstances to appoint Mr. McCarthy, or any union clerk, to the commission; whether, in Mr. McCarthy's application and otherwise, the fact that he was clerk of the union was concealed; whether both the Lord Chancellor and the Lord Lieutenant of the county have declared that if this fact had been disclosed the appointment would not have been made; and whether any steps are now going to be taken in the case?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Lord Chancellor informs me that Mr. Daniel McCarthy, clerk of the Skibbereen Union, has recently been sworn in as a magistrate for the county of Cork. The Lord Chancellor had not previously refused to appoint Mr. McCarthy. As I have already stated in reply to a previous question of the hon. Member, at the time of the appointment the Lord Chancellor had no knowledge of the fact that Mr. McCarthy was a clerk of a union, and if he had known it he would not have appointed him.

Mr. SHEEHY

Is it the practice of the Lord Chancellor in all cases to make inquiries as to the character and position of a man before he appoints him?

Mr. BIRRELL

The gentleman in question was recommended to him by the Lord Lieutenant of the county, and I suppose inquiries were made, but perhaps they were not directed to ask him to state all the public appointments he holds.

Mr. MULDOON

Is it not a fact that the clerk of a union can fill no other office; that if there was any description at all he must have been so described, and is it a fact that in this case the Lord Chancellor made no inquiry whatever?

Mr. BIRRELL

I know nothing what ever about that except what the Lord Chancellor tells me, which is that he had no knowledge whatever that this gentleman, when he appointed him, was clerk to the union.

Mr. JOYCE

Is it not a fact that the police have to report on these appointments before they are made?

Mr. BIRRELL

No. I do not think it has gone that length yet.

Mr. MULDOON

Is it not a fact that the Lord Chancellor knows the Skibbereen district perfectly well and must have known the position held by this gentleman, and is it not notorious that Daniel McCarthy has humbugged both the Lord Lieutenant of the county and the Lord Chancellor, and under these circumstances, which of the three is going to hold his post?

Mr. BIRRELL

I can only answer for the Lord Chancellor.