§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If he is aware that a third of the population of Tory Island, on the coast of Donegal, are in destitution; that the main cause of the poverty of the people is due to the want of any harbour accommodation for fishery purposes; and, whether he will recommend the commencement of works of the kind required, which will, at the same time, afford immediate employment to the necessitous inhabitants? The hon. Member added that since he put this Question on the Paper he had received a letter from the Catholic clergyman in charge of the Island, stating that not only were one-third of the population totally destitute, but that the remaining two-thirds had not supplies sufficient to last them beyond Christmas, and that during most of the wintry weather, Tory Island, being nine miles from the mainland, was almost inaccessible, and consequently the danger of famine was imminent indeed.
§ MR SEXTONwished, before the Question was answered, to read a telegram he had that day received from the Rev. W. P. Cosgrave, P. P., County Sligo, stating that on Tuesday no Indian meal could be had in Sligo for any price, and that the poor people from the rev. gentleman's district, which is 20 miles distant, came home empty and were in great distress. The telegram concluded by asking what would the Government do. Would the people starve?
§ MR. TREVELYANAn Inspector of the Local Government Board has just been to Tory Island, and I have received his Report, which is dated the 18th instant, this morning. In that Report, he states that he has not found anything so exceptional in the condition of the Islanders as to lead him to fear that the Poor Law in its ordinary administration will prove insufficient to meet their wants. They gave him the impression 1921 of being a fairly thriving fishing popution; they have as many boats as they can use or man; and passing steamers afford them facilities for selling fresh fish in Liverpool and Glasgow, and salted fish at Falcarra. Three steamers returning weekly from Sligo take whatever fish is ready for Liverpool or Glasgow, and bring back coals or provisions, or other necessaries, in return for the fish thus disposed of. They have plenty of seaweed thrown on the Island, from which they manufacture kelp. The Inspector was informed that the quantity made last year was sold for£600. The Census of 1881 gives the population as 140 males, and 192 females, and they have 30 boats, generally from 25 feet to 30 feet long. I therefore consider that, being within nine miles of land, they are in no great danger of starvation.
§ MR. O'DONNELLwished to ask, with regard to the statement of the Poor Law Inspector that the ordinary machinery of the Poor Law would be sufficient to meet the distress, how many miles was the nearest workhouse from Tory Island?
§ MR. TREVELYANWith regard to the Question of the hon. Member for Sligo, a definite telegram like that deserves a definite inquiry. Reports are constantly coming in from that district, and they have not foreshadowed any immediate necessity of the kind stated.
§ MR. T. P. O'CONNORThere is one point in the Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Sligo to which I would like to direct the attention of the Chief Secretary. It is whether he is aware that Indian meal, which is the staple food of a large portion of this poor population, is very scarce and almost as dear as flour?
§ MR. TREVELYANThat is a statement which, I think, deserves inquiry.
§ MR. CALLANMay I ask what is the name of the Inspector who visited Tory Island, the date of his visit, and whether he saw the Catholic priest, the only educated person on the Island?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe name of the Inspector is Mr. MacFarlane, and his Report is corroborated by information which has been received from the officer of the gun-boat. As I have received his Report this morning, I suppose he returned a few days ago.
§ MR. O'DONNELLI beg to give Notice that to-morrow I will ask the Chief Secretary how many miles the nearest workhouse is to Tory Island?