§ MR. T. M. HEALY (Louth, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that on the death of Dr. Nadin, Tipperary, who was doctor to the Royal Irish. Constabulary at various stations, the men in each barrack were asked to choose a successor, and their choice was ratified in every case except Tipperary and Limerick Junction, where the police, thirty-four in number, almost unanimously selected Dr. O'Dwyer, but that in this case the County Inspector intervened and recommended a practitioner who had only received one or two votes, and that Dr. O'Dwyer was then set aside by the Inspector General and the position given to the nominee of the County Inspector, although his qualifications were in no respect superior; and will he explain why the wishes of the force were not allowed to prevail in this case as in that of all the other vacancies created by the death of Dr. Nadin.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. G. W. BALFOUR,) Leeds, CentralI am informed it is not the fact that the police at any of the stations in question were asked to choose a successor to Dr. Nadin. The gentleman selected for appointment at Tipperary and Limerick has been longer in practice than Dr. O'Dwyer, and had also attended the police on previous occasions when the late medical attendant was unable to do so, and had given every satisfaction. While of course every attention is given, as far as possible, to the wishes of the constabulary in a matter of this kind, the choice of a medical attendant is not with the men, and the rule is to appoint the most experienced and most suitable doctor.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYDo I understand that in the other cases no steps were taken to consult the wishes of the police?
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURI do not know how far their wishes were consulted. Whatever was done was done in an informal manner.
§ MR. T. M. HEALYHowever informal, is it not the fact that in all cases, except that of Tipperary, the wishes of the constabulary were met?
§ MR. G. W. BALFOURThat I cannot say.