THE EARL OF MAYOI beg to ask the noble and learned Lord, the Lord. Chancellor of Ireland, whether directions will be given to the Royal Irish Constabulary to enforce the existing laws relating to the protection of wild birds in Ireland.
§ LORD ASHBOURNEIn July, 1899, my noble friend asked the Irish Government 13 for information with reference to the protection of wild birds, and he was then told that the constabulary were specially and fully instructed by general circular in May, 1899, to enforce the Wild Birds Protection Acts. I believe that has been loyally carried out. I have endeavoured, since the question was put upon the Paper, to find how the matter stands. Since the issue of the circular six prosecutions have been instituted by the police for breaches of the Acts, and convictions were obtained in all those cases. That, however, is not all that has been done, for during the same period 211 warnings have been given to first offenders throughout the country in the terms of the circular.