THE EARL OF MILLTOWNasked the Lord President of the Council, What is the cause of the delay in communicating to the Royal Irish Constabulary the result of the Commission which was appointed eight months ago to inquire into and report upon their grievances; whether any conclusions have in fact been arrived at on the subject; and, if so, when they would be made public? The noble Lord said, that great discontent existed in the ranks of the Constabulary at the extraordinary delay which had occurred. The agitators, as usual, had made this discontent a means of furthering their objects in Ireland.
§ LORD CARLINGFORD (LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL),in reply, said, the subject of the grievances complained 415 of by the Royal Irish Constabulary and the Dublin Metropolitan Police was a large and complicated one, and had occupied much time in consideration; but he was able to say that the Irish Government approved generally of the recommendations made by the two Committees of Inquiry. The Treasury had also approved generally of the financial recommendations made by the Committees; but in order to carry some of them into effect Her Majesty's Government must introduce a Bill in the other House. In the meantime, the information asked for would be supplied, for he intended to lay on the Table that evening the Report of the two Committees and the Minutes addressed by the Lord Lieutenant to the heads of the two bodies of Police.
§ EARL COWPERwished to be excused for saying that he did not think the noble Earl's Question had been exactly answered. His Question had reference to the cause of the great delay that had taken place, which had not been explained, and which struck him (Lord Cowper) as very unfortunate. He was very well aware that Her Majesty's Government must feel, as their Lordships all did, how much they owed to that splendid body of men, the Royal Irish Constabulary. Considering what the Constabulary had done during the last two or three years, it was impossible not to be astonished that their conduct had been what it was. Although these men were either sons or brothers of, or had near relations among, the most active members of the Land League, yet they had never swerved from their loyalty or their duty. Though they had been frequently placed in the most trying positions, and insulted and stoned by mobs without being able to fire in return—a position that would severely have tried the discipline of veteran soldiers—they had never lost their self-control. This body of men was so admirable that he felt that everything that concerned them was of vital importance. He confessed that when the lamentable outbreak took place among them some time ago, he did feel that there must have been some delay in dealing with their claims, for he knew that when he left Ireland a Report had just been made by a Committee appointed for the purpose, recommending that a certain grant of money should be made to them. Dealing with a mutiny 416 of that sort was, of course, a very delicate matter, and he must state his opinion of the admirable manner—the firmness, kindness, and good feeling— with which it was dealt with by Lord Spencer. Although far from imputing any blame to the Irish Government, yet, considering that the Commission now alluded to was appointed eight months ago, he must say it was quite time that the matter was settled. He did not know much about the circumstances of the case as they existed at present; but he thought it was impossible for anyone to have filled any position in public life without knowing that, whoever was in Office, there was very often a great deal of obstruction, and a great deal of difficulty to contend with, in regard to the Department alluded to—he meant the Treasury. He did not know whether that was the case now, but it was generally acknowledged that the Treasury only parted with money after great importunity. If that was the case in the present instance, it was most unfortunate. He was happy, however, to hear that the Commission was now about to report. He was also glad to see that nothing more was said in the papers of that day as to any fresh ill-feeling amongst the police. He knew so well it was the interest of many parties to make it appear that there was discontent among them, that he could not help hoping that the reports of fresh discontent were exaggerated or without foundation.