§ MR. SHEEHY (Galway, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the inhabitants of the Arran Islands are in a famine-stricken condition, owing to the failure of their crops last season, and the tempestuous winter weather, which prevented them from pursuing their fishing avocations; whether they are destitute of the moans of tilling their lands; and what steps, if any, are being taken to save them from death by starvation, and to supply them with seed potatoes for their holdings?
MR. J. MORLEYRepresentations have been made to me regarding the condition of the people on these islands, and on their receipt I at once directed inquiry to be made, and special attention has since been given to the matter. The Local Government Board Inspector, who has recently spent several days on the island, has made careful inquiry into the condition of the people, and as to the sufficiency of existing relief arrangements; and the relieving officer, who is resident on the principal island, has at his disposal the means of affording outdoor relief in cases of necessity, and has been fully instructed by the Board's Inspector as to his duties and responsibilities. The prolonged gales have, no doubt, seriously inconvenienced, and to some extent impoverished, the islanders; but it is not correct to say that they are starving, or that any general destitution exists; and, as I have pointed out, the Local Government Board have adopted all necessary precautions for dealing with any unexpected emergency. Application has been made by the parish priest for a quantity of seed potatoes to be supplied to the islanders as a free gift; but with this application it is not, I regret, possible to comply, as there are no funds available for the purpose, and the Congested Districts Board are only empowered to provide seed for cash payment.