Mr. NUGENTasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Dublin Metropolitan Police were embodied as an un- 774W armed force; if the men were not required to undergo instruction in the use of the rifle until last year; if he is aware that, contrary to the conditions under which the men joined the force, efforts have been made to compel them to engage in rifle practice; if, in pursuance of the reconstruction of the force as an armed body, a number of rifles and a quantity of ammunition were brought into the various police stations some time after the Easter week disturbances and were subsequently taken away again; if at the same time the revolvers which the men on special duty were served out with were also taken away; if recently the revolvers were again served out to the men on special duty and rifles and ammunition again stored in the various stations; if he will state the reason for this new departure and under what authority the arming of the force has been carried out; and if he is aware that the men resent being turned into a semi-military body, and that consequently discontent has been engendered?
§ Mr. DUKESince the establishment of the Dublin Metropolitan Police Force the arms and accoutrements of the men have been in the discretion of the Commissioners by Statute. I am not prepared to give information as to how the men have been or are armed. I am not aware of the suggested discontent and I know of no good reason for discontent.