§ Mr. KEATINGasked the Chief Secretary whether he will state the number of Catholic magistrates in the county of Kilkenny and the number of magistrates of other persuasions, and the respective populations of the creeds in county Kilkenny; whether he will also state the manner in which names are submitted for appointment and as to how the appointments are made; and whether he will take steps to have magistrates appointed who are in sympathy with the people?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI understand that there are 127 ordinary county magistrates in the county Kilkenny, of whom fifty-five are believed to be Roman Catholics and seventy-two to be Protestants. In addition to the above there are eight ex officio county magistrates who are believed to be Roman Catholics, and there are fourteen magistrates whose jurisdiction is limited to that part of the county which comprises the urban district or borough of Kilkenny, of whom twelve are believed to be Roman Catholics. According to the Census of 1901 the total population of the county and city of Kilkenny in that year was 79,159, of whom 74,830 were Roman Catholics. Names are submitted to the Lord Chancellor by public bodies and responsible persons, and the Lord Chancellor also receives recommendations from the lieutenant of the county. Appointments are made by Commission under the Great Seal. The Lord Chancellor is.always ready to consider the appointment of any properly-qualified persons whose names may be submitted to him.