§ 90. Mr. R. McNEILLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, if he will say by whose authority the Solicitor-General for Ireland went to Monaghan Assizes on Wednesday, 3rd March, to prosecute Michael Daly, a Nationalist county councillor, for treating and bribery in connection with a county council election; what fees are receivable by the Solicitor-General for this case; why were the two circuit Crown prosecutors for Monaghan not considered competent; if the Treasury Remembrancer was consulted; and why the general practice that the Law Officers of the Crown only go as special counsel to prosecute where the charge is a capital one or of special importance to the Crown was departed from in this case?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Solicitor-General for Ireland attended to conduct the prosecution referred to by the authority and direction of the Attorney-General for Ireland. He was entitled to the usual fee of one hundred guineas for attending at Assizes to prosecute. There was no departure from the general practice as the Attorney-General was of opinion that the case was one of special importance.
§ Mr. McNEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman explain what constitutes special importance of the case?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThat is a matter for the discretion of the Attorney-General, and he has personally assured me to-day that it was a case which necessitated the attendance of either himself or the Solicitor-General.
§ Mr. McNEILLCan the right hon. Gentleman get from the Attorney-General a statement as to why it was important?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI must take the statement of the Attorney-General on that matter.