§ Viscount Melbourne moved the third reading of the Public Works (Ireland) Bill.
Lord Carberyregretted the Bill should have been brought forward at so late a period in the Session, when it could hardly receive the attention to which it was well entitled: he was friendly to its object, although he objected to that clause which gave additional power to Grand Juries to make assessments.
The Marquis of Westmeathstrongly objected to that clause in the Bill which gave additional powers to Grand Juries in Ireland with regard to levying money. After the delinquencies which had been proved on the part of such bodies, it was to be hoped that some check would be placed on their proceedings, instead of having additional powers thus given to them. He would oppose that part of the Bill, were it not that his doing so might prevent the Bill, which would be otherwise productive of advantage to Ireland, from passing this session.
The Earl of Wicklowthought that this Bill would be a most useful one to the country, and he entirely approved of that part of it to which the noble Marquis had objected.
§ Viscount Melbourne, referring to a complaint which the noble Lord (Carbery) made, of this Bill having been brought on at this late period of the Session, observed, that that circumstance arose from the vast quantity of business which was to be done, and the difficulty there was found in transacting it; and that such a complaint did not refer more to the business of Ireland than to that of any other portion of the empire. The object of this Bill was, to 380 assist and relieve Ireland by the loan of money for the erection of public works, and he was assured, that if Grand Juries were not to be empowered to borrow money for that purpose, the Bill would be a dead letter, and of no practical use whatever. Great checks were at the same time provided in the Bill, to prevent the abuse of such powers.
§ Bill read a third time and passed.