§ MR. DALYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the auditor of the accounts of the county council of Monaghan disallowed several sums that were allowed to the rate collectors as irrecoverable rates in that county, on the technical grounds that the Local Government Board were not informed thereof; whether he is aware that, before these allowances were made to the rate collectors, their accounts were checked by the district council, and amounts certified irrecoverable; and whether he will direct that the surcharge made against three members of the county council of Monaghan will be remitted.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe payments to the collectors were made in contravention of Aritcle 3 of the County (Poor Rate Collectors) No. 2 Order of 1899, and were 1445 disallowed, in consequence, by the auditor. It is open to the members of the county council to appeal against the decision of the auditor pursuant to Section 68 of the Local Government Act, 1898, and any such appeal, if lodged, will be considered.
§ MR. WYNDHAMBy the Local Government Board. The surcharge must be made if the law is not conformed with, but there is an appeal on the equity of the transaction to the Local Government Board.