§ Mr. O'MALLEYasked the Chief Secretary if two sergeants of the Royal Irish Constabulary, in the West Riding of county Galway, were retired on pension on the recommendation of the county inspector on the grounds that they had over thirty years' service and were fifty years of age; will he state how many head constables and sergeants now serving in the West Riding of Galway have over thirty-two years' service, and how many over thirty-four years' service; and if he will state why some constables are required to retire who have shorter service than others?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIn February, 1909, two sergeants of the Royal Irish Constabulary, in the West Riding of county Galway, were retired on the grounds stated in the question. There are at present four head constables and sergeants of the Galway West Riding force who have over thirty-two years' service, and three head constables and sergeants who have over thirty-four years' service. The power to require any member of the force to retire on pension is regulated by Statute, but this power is only exercised in cases where the compulsory retirement is considered to be necessary in the interests of the public service.