§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the fact that Messrs. Linnane, Honan, and Clancy of the Ennis Urban Council have been surcharged by the Local Government Board in the sum of £20 in respect of money paid as compensation for the site of artisans' dwellings; and whether, in view of the fact that this money was spent in a useful public work in the interest of the labouring classes, he will, under all the circumstances, see that the sealed Order for the surcharge is re-considered.
§ MR. WYNDHAMThe surcharge was made on the ground that the person to whom the money was paid had no legal interest in the land acquired and was not entitled to compensation. The decision conveyed by the Board in the sealed Order is final under Section 63 of the Local Government Act, 1898, and there is no power to re-open the case.
§ MR. WILLIAM REDMONDSeeing that these gentlemen had no knowledge that they were acting illegally, cannot the right hon. Gentleman further inquire into the matter with a view to remitting the surcharge.
§ MR. WYNDHAMI am afraid further inquiry would not alter the fact that the decision is final and the case cannot be re-opened.