THE MARQUESS OF WESTMEATH, having repeated the statement made on 2nd March, in presenting the Petition of Richard Talbot, of Managham, concluded by moving for the Papers, of which he had given notice.
§ Moved, That an humble Address be presented to Her Majesty for, Report of the Officer of the Constabulary to the Inspector General of the Language held by the Roman Catholic Priest addressed to the tumultuous Meeting assembled and following him at Collinstown on Tuesdays the 14th, 21st, and 28th January 1866, and of all the Circumstances coming under his Observation at that Time.—(The Marquess of Westmeath.)
LORD DUFFERINsaid, he was sure the noble Marquess would understand that until he had had an opportunity of considering the petition which had been presented it was impossible for him to submit to the consideration of the Irish Government the grounds upon which the noble Marquess had asked Her Majesty's Government to adopt what, he was informed, was a most unusual course. He had communicated with the Lord Lieutenant, and had ascertained that the Irish Government bad the strongest objection to produce the report of the officer of the constabulary, because reports of that kind had always been regarded as privileged and confidential communications, and the greatest possible inconvenience 280 would result to the public service if they were to lose that character. With regard to this particular case he had to state that it was perfectly true that a girl who professed the Roman Catholic religion was married to a Roman Catholic within six months after her profession of that faith. No doubt the act was illegal; but when the father went to take out a summons against the priest who celebrated the marriage he was advised, and on further consideration determined, not to take it out, and it was obvious that there might be many considerations which would induce the father of a girl placed in such circumstances to adopt that course. Well, that course having been adopted, it seemed to him that there was no ground whatever for any interference on the part of the executive Government; however, if the Government were to interfere in a matter already disposed of it would lay itself open to the charge of being prone to override the authority of the local magistracy.
THE MARQUESS OF WESTMEATHsaid, that as the Government had not denied the allegations which had been made, but still refused to produce the official account of the proceedings, the public might know what kind of régime was triumphant in some parts of Ireland. He should, however, withdraw his Motion.
§ Motion (by Leave of the House) withdrawn.
§ House adjourned at half past Five o'clock, till To-morrow, half past Ten o'clock.