Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he would state the date on which the Pope dissolved the Royal College of St. Patrick, Maynooth, which was founded by Royal Charter, and endowed by both the Parliaments of Ireland and the United Kingdom, and established in its stead the Pontifical College of St. Patrick, in the same place and in the enjoyment of the endowments granted to the Royal foundation, and conferring upon it the right to grant degrees; and if he would state whether the Government recognises the right of the Pope of Rome to revoke or revise Royal Charters, constitute colleges in Ireland, or confer degree-granting authority?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am not aware that Maynooth College was founded by Royal Charter as stated in the question. The College was founded by an Act of the Irish Parliament in 1795, and was incorporated by an Act passed in 1845. In 1899 the Trustees were invested by the Holy See with authority to confer degrees in philosophy, theology, and canon law, but I am not aware that the College was at any time dissolved by the Pope and a Pontifical College established in its stead.