§ THE EARL OF GRANARD,on presenting a petition from the Board of Guardians of Longford, praying for a re-adjustment of 432 the boundaries of the Longford Union, said, the petitioners complained that the area of the Union for rating purposes was insufficient, and called the attention of the House to the necessity for a revision of the boundaries of unions in Ireland. He hoped that between this and the next Session the question of a revision of the boundaries of the Irish unions would engage the attention of the Government.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, that there were other unions in Ireland smaller than the Longford Union. It was the opinion of the Irish Poor Law Commissioners that it would not be desirable in general to revise the unions in Ireland, and the Portumna Union was the only other union which joined in the case made by that of Longford. Under these circumstances he could hold out no hope that the Government would propose the revision advocated by his noble Friend.
THE EARL OF CLANCARTYexpressed his opinion that, as the circumstances of Ireland had very much changed since the unions were divided, some alteration was necessary. The numbers in the Irish unions were diminishing, and whatever force the argument in favour of union chargeability might have, as regarded England, it certainly did not apply to Ireland.
§ Petition to lie on the table.