§ 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 Rathfarn-ham police, since their sitting-room has been used as a lock-up for prisoners, have to take their meals in their dormitory, and are still compelled to pay a weekly rent for their apartments; and whether, for sanitary reasons, it is the intention of the authorities to provide suitable accommodation in the Rathfarnham barracks?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY TO THE LORD LIEUTENANT OF IRELAND (Mr. GERALD BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralFor the reasons which have already been explained to the honourable Member, the men stationed in this barrack have been allowed to take their meals in a room other than the sitting, or day room, but having regard to the number of men usually sleeping in the barrack, and the extent, of the accommodation, such other room need not, I am informed, be necessarily used as a dormitory. The deduction of 1s. a week from the pay of the men for barrack accommodation is a statutory deduction made at Rathfarnham, as elsewhere. The Constabulary authorities are prepared to take a suitable house for a barrack, if one offers. The existing barrack is held monthly, and as the owner will not give a lease no improvements; can be made.