In a scathing critique published in the “Irish Educational Review,” Bishop O’Dwyer of Limerick has accused both Conservatives and Liberals of deception and misdirection in their promises regarding the Irish University question. However, he reserves his harshest criticism for the Liberals, particularly Chief Secretary Mr Bryce, suggesting that their insincerity far outweighs that of their Conservative counterparts.
The Bishop’s outspoken commentary delves into the heart of the Irish University issue, a topic that has been a source of contention and promises from politicians on both sides of the spectrum. He contends that the Conservative party’s lack of follow-through on their commitments is dwarfed by the Liberals’ deceptive tactics. Specifically, Bishop O’Dwyer points to Mr Bryce’s emphatic statement in January, where he claimed that the proposed university scheme represented the government’s genuine convictions.
The Bishop, however, raises serious doubts about the sincerity of such convictions, given the subsequent instability and lack of progress on the university question. His conclusion is a striking one: the university proposals may have been nothing more than a political lubricant to ease the passage of the Irish Council Bill. In other words, the Bishop posits that the Liberals might have used the promise of university reform to distract attention from other legislative priorities.
Notably, Bishop O’Dwyer is skeptical about the likelihood of Mr Birrell, the Chief Secretary, bringing forward a University Bill in the upcoming session. He believes that the sheer weight of other legislative matters will likely prevent any serious attention to the long-standing issue of university reform. The Bishop suggests that Mr Birrell might be playing with the subject merely to create an impression that positive changes are on the horizon for Ireland.
The Bishop’s skepticism extends to the notion that Mr Birrell’s engagement with the university question might be a strategic move to divert attention away from opposing the English Elementary Education Bill. He suggests that the Chief Secretary is using the promise of a university boon to Ireland as a shield against serious opposition from Irish members regarding other legislation.
While Bishop O’Dwyer’s suspicions are expressed strongly in his article, there is room for hope that Mr Birrell’s intentions may not be as dubious as the Bishop suggests. The Chief Secretary is urged to consider the potential consequences of yet another failure in legislative projects, as such an outcome could tarnish his reputation and incite a storm of discontent in Ireland that may not easily subside.
The Bishop’s words serve as a warning to those in power, emphasizing the importance of sincerity and follow-through in addressing the longstanding issue of Irish university reform. As the political landscape continues to evolve, the Irish public and their representatives will be watching closely to see whether promises turn into action or if, once again, political rhetoric takes precedence over genuine progress.
Catholic Times and Catholic Opinion – Friday 11 October 1907
