MR. O'CONNOR POWERasked the Secretary to the Treasury, If it is true that the application of Mr. John Dempsey, of Keelogues, Castlebar, county of 1274 Mayo, for a loan of £60, under the Land Law Act, which was forwarded to the Irish Board of Works in December last, has not yet been granted, although Mr. Dempsey has complied with all the conditions of the loan; and, if so, whether it is usual for the Board to allow six months to elapse before granting applications of this description?
§ MR. COURTNEYSir, this case was not received, in a practical form, until the end of January, and it was sanctioned before the end of May. This interval is much more than what is usual, the case having been delayed by exceptional difficulties, partly due to the action of the applicant. I am sorry to say that, although the necessary information required, and inquiries made, are reduced, as far as I can see, to the most moderate dimensions, the terrible want of business faculties on the part of tenants applying for loans is a cause of repeated delay.