HC Deb 30 July 1888 vol 329 cc741-2
MR. O'KEEFFE (Limerick City)

asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, referring to the Circular issued by Sir West Ridgway, dated May 16 ultimo, to the Grand Juries and Corporations of Ireland, with view as stated— To bring about a more direct connection than exists at present between the Local Authorities which strike the rates and the Governing Boards of the district lunatic asylums in support of which they are struck; whether replies have been received from the Public Bodies to whom this letter was addressed; and, how soon will the Government carry into effect their expressed intention of altering the constitution of the Boards of District Lunatic Asylums in Ireland?

THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)

Replies have been received up to the present time from a minority only of the Public Bodies addressed. The Irish Government are anxious to have, as far as possible, the views of all the Bodies addressed; and they are, therefore, at present not in a position to make a definite statement on the matter.

THE LORD MAYOR OF DUBLIN (Mr. SEXTON) (Belfast, W.)

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that, owing to the delay of the Government in this matter, a legal difficulty has arisen, and the rates for the Richmond Lunatic Asylum cannot be levied this year?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I am not aware of the legal difficulty to which the hon. Gentleman refers; but I am bound to say, as the hon. Gentleman speaks of delay on the part of the Government, that the responsibility for the delay rests with the Corporation of Dublin, who have declined to make a reply.

MR. SEXTON

The Government having declined to take any action for several months, how can the right hon. Gentleman contend that the blame rests with the Dublin Corporation?

MR. A. J. BALFOUR

I cannot accept the hon. Gentleman's statement of the facts. My point is that the Government, having made application for information to Local Bodies, one of the Bodies which did not answer was the Corporation of Dublin. The hon. Gentleman has no right to blame the Government for the delay. The responsibility for the delay rests with the Corporation of Dublin.