§ MR. JAMES O'CONNOR (Wicklow, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Commissioners of Blackrock, County Dublin, are endeavouring to effect an amalgamation of their township with that of Kingstown; and that the ratepayers of Blackrock are opposed to the projected union, on the ground that it would result in a serious increase of their rates; if so, whether the people of Blackrock will be given any opportunity of expressing their opinion before any steps are taken to give legal sanction to the suggested amalgamation?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURThe question of an amalgamation of the townships of Kingstown, Dalkey, and Blackrock, has, I believe, been under the consideration of the Commissioners of these townships, and the Blackrock Commissioners have, I am also informed, decided not to take any further action in the matter until a decision shall have been arrived at by the Kingstown Commissioners. I have no knowledge of the opinions of the Blackrock ratepayers in reference to the suggested, amalgamation, but any representations made by them would, of course, be considered.