§ Mr. DALY (Monaghan, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland (1) whether he is aware that grand jurors of county Monaghan have relieved themselves from county cess on evicted farms in their possession for several years past; (2) whether he can give the names of the grand jurors of Monaghan who benefited by not paying county cess on their evicted farms, and the amounts during the past five years; and (3) whether he will take any steps at the coming July Assizes to prevent the grand jury of county Monaghan from relevying on the county at large the cess of evicted farms in the possession of grand jurors?
§ MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. GERALD BALFOUR)The secretary to the grand jury states it is not a fact that members of that body have relieved themselves from county cess on vacant farms. Applications, however, have been made occasionally to the grand jury by barony constables to have county cess re-presented which they have been unable to levy off vacant premises, and in dealing with such applications the grand jury have been advised by counsel as to the cases in which re-presentments should be made. It has already been more than once pointed out to the honourable Member that the executive have no control over the action of the grand jury in such matters, and the Government do not propose, therefore, to take any steps in the direction suggested in the Question. It is, of course, open to any ratepayer to appear before the grand jury and object to any re-presentment, or to traverse it before the judge of assize.
§ MR. DALYCan the right honourable Gentleman answer the first part of the second paragraph of my Question? Can he give me the names of the grand jurors who have benefited by not paying county cess?
§ MR. ATKINSONI did answer that. The Secretary to the grand jury says that no members of that body have relieved themselves from county cess on vacant farms.