§ MR. MCCARTANI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the letter of Dr. Redmond in the British Medical Journal of 2nd April last, on the action taken by the Local Government Board with reference to the increase of the salary of Dr. M. J. Kenny, Medical Officer, Lismore Union, of the Tullow District, on what grounds did the Local Government Board refuse to sanction the increase of £20 in Dr. Kenny's salary, which was recommended by the Dispensary Committee, after careful investigation, and unanimously approved by the Board of Guardians; whether the Guardians, for good reasons stated, requested the Local Government Board in vain to reconsider its decision; and whether, considering that it is the only district in the Union having two dispensaries, the great increase of work, and the fact that his predecessor was paid the increased salary voted by the Board of Guardians to Dr. Kenny, he will now cause the decision to be reconsidered?
§ MR. JACKSONI have seen the published letter referred to by the hon. Member. The grounds upon which the Local Government Board felt themselves unable to sanction the proposed increase of salary to the Medical Officer mentioned were stated in my 705 reply to a question put by the hon. Member for Waterford, W., on 5th inst. The Local Government Board have given every consideration to the matter, and it may be pointed out that of the four districts comprising the Union of Tullow, Dr. Kenny's district, is the smallest, both as regards area and population.
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)Is it not a fact that the local Guardians, and everybody with opportunity for inquiry into the matter, view the case favourably? I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he will not request the Local Government Board to reconsider this question?
§ MR. JACKSONI have already stated that the Local Government Board have carefully considered this question.
§ DR. TANNERI will raise it on the Estimates—when they come.