HC Deb 27 March 1885 vol 296 cc828-9
VISCOUNT CRICHTON

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If the Board of Guardians of the Ballyshannon Union at their last meeting appointed Michael Kerin to the post of relieving officer and sub-sanitary inspector; whether Kerin was treasurer and organiser of the late Land League in that locality, and is now treasurer of the local branch of the National League, and if his name appears in that capacity at the foot of the placard issued by that body; and, whether the Local Government Board will sanction his appointment?

MR. CAMPBELL-BANNERMAN

Mr. Michael Kerin was appointed relieving officer by the Ballyshannon Board of Guardians on the 14th instant He was the only candidate for the office. The Local Government Board have no information as to his alleged connection with the Land League, and as they have not yet received the particulars which they called for on the election of Union officers, they are not yet in a position to state whether they will or not sanction the appointment.

MR. JOHN O'CONNOR

Might I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if this gentleman were connected with the Land League, it would be a disqualification?

MR. CAMPBELL - BANNERMAN

That is a hypothetical Question

MR. HARRINGTON

Will the right hon. Gentleman direct the Local Government Board to make similar inquiries with regard to rate collectors who are members of Orange Lodges?

[No reply.]