§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, If his attention has been called to the letter of the Most Rev. Dr. Logne, Bishop of Raphoe, in Donegal, which states that there is not workhouse accommodation for more than a small fraction of the distressed population, and that outdoor relief is necessary to 1751 prevent extensive starvation and destitution; and, what notice he intends to take of His Lordship's letter?
§ MR. TREVELYAN, in reply, said, his attention had been directed to the letter referred to. In case there should not be workhouse accommodation for more than a portion of the distressed population, the provisions of the 2nd section of the Irish Poor Relief Extension Act would come into operation, and outdoor relief to able-bodied persons would then, where necessary, be afforded. Such outdoor relief could not legally be granted while there was room in the workhouse. With reference to the letter of the Most Rev. Dr. Logue, he might say that the principle of the Poor Law was that the workhouse existed, not only for the relief of distress, but as a test of distress; and it could not be too clearly understood that the Government intended to abide by that principle. Great suffering might follow if those to whom the people looked up for guidance suffered them to be in any doubt as to the intention of the Government.