§ MR. MACNEILLI beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the late Mr. Matthew O'Reilly Dease, for many years a Member of this House, by his will bequeathed all his property, amounting to about £50,000, to the payment of the National Debt, although his nearest relations were in a state of absolute destitution; whether he is aware that in 1889 two nieces of Mr. Dease were granted by the Treasury pittances of £50 per annum; whether he is aware that three children of Mr. James M'Donagh and his wife' another niece of Mr. Dease now deceased, who would, if Mr. Dease had died intestate, 761 have been entitled to a share of his personalty under the Statute of Distributions, are living in Dublin, and are in wretched health and indigent circumstances; and whether, having regard to the great hardship of their case, and the benefits accruing to the State from the will of Mr. Dease, the Treasury will see their way to make some provision for them?
SIR JOHN GORSTMr. Dease bequeathed his property, amounting to about £50,000, towards payment of the National Debt. Annuities of £50 per annum were bought for the two nieces of the deceased, Misses Isabella, and Mary Walsh. I am advised that if Mr. Dease had died intestate the children of James M'Donagh would not have been entitled to any part of the estate. On that ground the Treasury cannot undertake to make provision for them.
§ MR. MACNEILLBut would not the niece have been entitled to her share under a distribution? Is it not a fact that this unfortunate lady was alive after Mr. Dease's death, and are the Treasury going to close on this enormous sum and leave this lady in want?
§ MR. MACNEILLNo, no. You will see it in the third paragraph of the question. Mr. Speaker, I beg to give notice that I shall call attention to this question on going into Committee of Supply.