§ DR. COMMINS (Roscommon, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether any, and what, relief works have yet been commenced in the County Roscommon; whether the condition of the people in several districts of that county has been reported by the Boards of Guardians and the Government Inspectors who visited them as one in which acute distress is imminent, and no sufficient means in the hands of the Poor Law Authorities to meet such distress; whether, as a means of meeting it, the Government has had their attention called to the steps taken 1026 and the guarantees given by the Grand Juries for the construction of a light railway from Dromod to Strokestown and Roscommon; and whether, if that project be revived, it would now receive the approval of the Privy Council?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURNo relief works are in operation at present in the County of Roscommon, but the condition of that county is now engaging the careful attention of the Government. It is not possible to say what the action of the Privy Council will be in the event of the project referred to by the hon. Member being revived.