§ MR. J. P. FARRELL () Cavan, W.I beg to ask Mr. Attorney General for Ireland whether, seeing that, although on the introduction of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, tenants who have purchased their holdings and thus become their own landlords were promised that, in addition to getting half their county cess remitted, they would also get the portion of the poor rate hitherto paid by the landlord, he is aware that the tenants in the parish of Glangoolin, county of Cavan, nearly all of whom are now peasant proprietors, complain that whilst they have got the abatement of county cess they see no appreciable difference in the case of the poor rates: and whether, as this question is creating a good deal of attention in Ireland, inquiry will be made into the matter.
§ MR. ATKINSONTenants who have purchased their holdings receive a double advantage from the Agricultural Grant—that is to say, they obtain a remission of one half the county cess in the standard year 940 as occupiers, and of half the poor rate in the standard year as owners. Whether this measure of relief will be equivalent to one half of the present year's rate, or the rate to be raised for county charges in succeeding years, will depend largely upon the fact whether the county and district councils are economical in their administration, or the reverse. I have no knowledge of any complaints having been made in this matter by tenants, and as there is no room for doubt as to the application of the Agricultural Grant, the; matter is not one calling for inquiry, as suggested.