§ MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY (Limerick, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that owing to the action of the Local Government Board in declaring that the insolvency or poverty of an occupier of a house is not a sufficient reason for County Councils to strike off items as uncollectable rates, but that the rate collectors should be required to produce a sheriff's return of nulla bona, a double loss to the ratepayers is incurred, namely, the cost of legal proceedings as well as the amount of rates in such cases, whether, in view of this fact, he will take steps to empower the county councillors to adopt the same practice with regard to ascertaining what uncollectable rates are as the grand jurors previous to the passing of the Local Government (Ireland) Act adopted.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe Local Government Board has not declared that the collector should be required to produce a Sheriff's return of nulla bona. On the 1338 contrary, the Board is prepared to regard as irrecoverable all sums which have not been collected, provided it is satisfied that all reasonable exertions have been made to enforce payment. The collector is empowered to distrain on his warrant and it is not necessary for him to obtain decrees. The provisions of the Grand Jury Act to which reference is made have been repealed, but the provisions of No. 2 Poor Rate Collectors Order are practically of the same effect, and further legislation is not necessary.