MR. O'BRIENasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the decision of the cess-payers, refusing to renew the presentment for the Kildare Infirmary, was overridden by the votes of magistrates, four of whom were Governors of the Infirmary; whether their votes were legal; and, whether there is any authority empowered to institute an independent inquiry into charges touching the management of the Infirmary?
§ MR. TREVELYANSir, I stated, in reply to a former Question, how the majority which carried the presentment was composed as regards magistrates and cesspayers. Four of the magistrates who voted in the majority were Governors of the Infirmary. I am not prepared to say whether or not their votes were legal. It is not a question for the Executive to decide. I am advised that it is open to any cesspayer, who may think the votes illegal, to question their validity in the ordinary course of law, either before the going Judge of Assize, or by application to the High Court of Justice. As regards the concluding paragraph of the Question, the Local Government Board have power to examine into the administration of a county infirmary supported by Grand Jury presentment. They have not been applied to to exercise that power in this case.