Lords Sitting of 9 March 1825

ROMAN CATHOLIC CLAIMS—PETITION FROM KILKENNY.
Lord Clifdenpresented a petition from the Protestant Inhabitants of Kilkenny, in favour of the Roman Catholics' Claims. This petition, his lordship said, was the petition of the greater number of landholders in the county. He could not avoid expressing his satisfaction at the progress which this question was making. Whether now carried or not, he was sure it was obtaining more consideration than it had ever done before. There was great reason to hope that this question, which certainly would be interminable, as long as the Catholics were excluded from the privileges of the constitution, would, at last, come to an end. From this he argued nothing but good. He remembered the time when great commercial jealousies existed between the two countries. These were all happily done away; and there was not one man of sense in the country, who did not wish to see Ireland as flourishing as England. He was sure, if the thing were wisely done, it would be effected without the least danger to the church. Upwards of forty years had elapsed before the union between Scotland and England was perfect; and now the people of the North

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and the South were as one. He hoped soon to see the same with regard to Ireland. Then would that country, instead of being a thorn in our side, and a millstone about our neck, be, like our right arm, ever ready to shield us from harm.
"God grant this may soon arrive."
Ordered to lie on the table.