§ MR. O'SHEAasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether his attention has been called to the uncertainty entertained by certain public bodies in Ireland as to the scope of the Irish Privy Council Order, No. 961; and, if so, whether he would explain the Order in question to the House?
§ MR. TREVELYANI am not aware that any uncertainty exists with regard to the Order referred to, the object of which is to give powers of compulsory slaughter to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease to such Local Authorities as wish to have such powers. A similar Order was passed in England a fortnight ago. Happily, there is not much reason to apprehend that many Local Authorities in Ireland will require 1540 to exercise the powers given by this Order, as foot-and-mouth disease exists now in only one place in the country—Dunshanghlin, in the county of Meath. It may, therefore, be of great importance, in the event of the disease reappearing, that Local Authorities should have the power of stamping it out at once.