§ MR. JOHN O'DONNELL (Mayo, S.)To ask the Postmaster-General whether the postal order for which payment had been refused by the postmaster of Ballyhaunis because the payee, Mr. F. Swift, affixed his signature in Irish, has yet been cashed; has any apology been offered to Mr. Swift for the inconvenience to which he has been put; and whether precautions will be taken that in future and under similar circumstances courtesy equal to that extended to foreign residents will be extended to Irish speakers.
§ (Answered by Lord Stanley.) The postal order tendered by Mr. Swift at Ballyhaunis Post Office was cashed as soon as the postmaster was satisfied that the signature in Irish was the signature of Mr. Swift. As I explained to the hon. Member on the 3rd instant†, this is the coarse prescribed by the regulations; and if any apology is called for, it is Mr. Swift who should apologise for the unnecessary trouble he gave. The same course will be followed in any similar cases that may occur in the future.