HC Deb 10 February 1898 vol 53 c226
MR. DALY (Monaghan, South)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that much indignation prevails among the cesspayers of county Monaghan owing to an attempt that is about being made by the Grand Jury to re-impose a cess already paid; and will he state what steps he proposes to take in the matter; also whether he is aware that the Grand Jury of the county Monaghan appointed cess collectors without solvent security, and that a large deficiency in the cess has occurred in consequence. And whether he can state what steps he intends to take against the Grand Jury?

MR. GERALD BALFOUR

I understand that two Barony Cess Collectors for the county Monaghan have become defaulters, that proceedings were taken against them and their sureties by the Grand Jury, and that these proceedings resulted in the recovery of a considerable portion of the deficiency. The Grand Jury propose to re-present for the balance at the next Assizes. The Executive has no power over the Grand Jury, nor is that body responsible to the Executive for the manner in which it performs its fiscal business.