§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Commissioners of Valuation made a mistake in increasing the valuation of the lands of Mr. M. O'Donnell, Annascaul, county Kerry, by £5, while they decreased the valuation of his neighbour by a similar amount, and that Mr. O'Donnell was thus compelled to pay in rates £1 13s. 9d. through the mistake of a Government Department; and, if so, whether steps will be immediately taken to have this sum refunded to him.
(Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) There is no occupier of land named M. O'Donnell entered in the valuation lists for the townland in which the village of Annascaul is situated. Possibly the holding entered in the lists as occupied by Thomas O'Donnell, in the townland of Dromavally, is referred to. It was part of a large Rundale holding which was divided in 1900 and 1903. The valuations allotted to the various holders in these years were not appealed against, 453 either by him or by any of the other occupiers. A further division and applotment was asked for and made in 1904, the effect of which was to reduce the valuation of O'Donnell's farm, which consists of eight separate lots, by £5. If O'Donnell objected to the former applot-ment he should have availed himself of his statutory right of appeal to the Commissioner of Valuation and the Court of quarter sessions. There is no power now to re-open the case as suggested.