§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he will state what qualifications a resident magistrate is expected to possess; whether a knowledge of law is one of them; and, if so, to what extent?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYNo qualifications are prescribed by statute for the position of Resident Magistrate in Ire- 1669W land. A Resident Magistrate ought to possess a knowledge of law to the extent of being competent to hear and determine cases in courts of summary jurisdiction.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Attorney-General for Ireland whether he will state the number of magistrates entitled to sit at the petty sessions court of Drumconrath, in county Meath; how many are Protestants and how many are Catholics; and whether he can state the respective Protestant and Catholic population of the district over which the jurisdiction of the court extends?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYI am informed that there are six magistrates now entitled to sit at the Petty Sessions Court at Drumconrath. It is believed three are Protestants and three are Catholics. The latter include an existing magistrate recently authorised to sit at Drumconrath. No information is available upon which it would be possible to answer the last part of the question.