The Sun.
London, England, 1866-02-27 00:00:00

THE CONDITION OF IRELAND.

Lord LIFFORD called the attention of the house to the
present condition of Ireland, and asked her Majesty's Go-
vernment whether it was their intention to introduce any
measure into Parliament providing for the support of the
Roman Catholic clergy of Ireland, independent of the con-
tribution of the Irish people? He moved also for
a return of the parochial clergy of the Roman
Catholic Church in Ireland, distinguishing be-
tween those Rho were parish priests and curates.
The noble lord commenced by referring to the Fenian
movement in Ireland, and expressed the deep sorrow ho
felt, in common with other Irish proprietors, at the igno-
rance exhibited by that movement in that part of his coun-
try, and their want of due appreciation of the benefits they
at present enjoyed. Having next adverted to the social
and political phases through which Ireland had passed,
he next passed a high eulogium on the Orangemen of Ire-
land, whom he described as one of the most loyal bodies
that ever a sovereign possessed, although he himself had
never been an Orangeman. He next drew the attention of
the house to the most meritorious conduct of the Roman
Catholic clergy in the outbreak of 1815, and in the present
Fenian movement ; and he advocated that they should
receive a stipend from the Crown.

Earl RUSSELL said be would confine himself to the last
part of the noble lord's speech. Tho question raised wasas
to whether there should be an application of the property
and estates of the Church of England to the Roman'
Catholic clergy in Ireland or a State endowment.
Lord LIFFORD—I said nothing about the approp.iation
of the Church revenues in Ireland to the Roman Catholic
clergy.
Earl RUSSELL was under the impression that the noble
lord had made such a statement. The noble earl then re-
ferred to the occasions upon which the subject of a State
endowment of Irish Roman Catholic clergy had occu-
pied the attention of statesmen, and the refusal of the Ito-
m.m Catholic clergy to entertain the same, being of
opinion that it would diminish their influence over their
flocks. There was a large body of persons who objected
to all State endowments for ecclesiastical purposes, and
the-Roman Catholic clergy themselves were indisposed to
a course which would certainly tend to lessen their influ-
ence over their flocks. The Government, therefore, did
not intend to make any proposal on that subject. Neither
did the Government intend to introduce a measure for the
purpose of applying any portion of the funds belonging to
the Established Church to educational uses. Adverting to
the evils which were now complained of in Ireland, Lord
Russell remarked that some of those evils were of very long
standing, and it was impossible by measures passed in ono
session of Parliament to remedy tho grievances of Ireland
and restore its people to happiness and prosperity. Since
1829 various beneficial measures had been passed, such as
the scheme of National Education, the Poor Law, and the
Encumbered Estates Act, and every disposition had been
evinced by Parliament to promote the welfare of Ireland.
Lord CLANRICARDE argued in favour of State pro-
vision for the Roman Catholic clergy, and denied that the
bulk of the people of Ireland were disaffected or disloyal,
although they were certainly discontented, for which they
had many reasons. The g ,retry were not allowed any
share in the government of the country, which was left to
the Lord Lieutenant and the police. The people were dis-
contented because no measures of improvement were
adopted, and because everything connected with Ireland
was neglected.
Lord GREY, although ho had been at one time a strong
supporter of appropriation in connection with the Esta-
blished Church in Ireland, could not now support such a
plan, because he believed the time for it had gone by. He
agreed that the present state of Ireland proved that there
are evils which ought to be removed, although he also con-
curred with the Prime Minister in believing that no one or
two measures would be adequate to redress those evils
immediately. Tho whole condition of the country re-
quired mature consideration, and on a future day he should
invite the house to bestow that consideration upon this
important subject.
Lord DUNSANY believed that the Irishßoman Catholic
clergy would not refuse State payment, but in any case he
approved the offer being made to them.
The discussion then terminated.
The Art Bill was read a third time, and their lordships
then adjourned.