§ 16. Mr. O'MALLEYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the resolution passed by the Oughterard District Council, Connemara, of the 9th instant, pointing out the number of policemen in the county of Galway, Oughterard, a small village, alone having sixteen policemen permanently stationed there; and whether, in view of the comparative absence of crime in the county and the prejudicial effects upon recruiting that the presence of such an excessive constabulary force creates, he 2241 will advise the military authorities to offer this well-trained military body facilities to join the Army without further delay?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The resolution referred to was duly received by the constabulary authorities, who inform me that the number of police in Oughterard is thirteen, not sixteen as stated. It is not considered that the proportion of police allocated to the county of Galway is excessive, or that it has exercised a prejudicial effect upon recruiting. Every facility for joining the Army is afforded to members of the Royal Irish Constabulary who are willing to do so.