§ MR. GILHOOLY (Cork County, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is 608 aware that the tenants of Mr. Leigh White, on Dursey Island, have offered to pay two years more than the purchase value put on the island by the valuer sent down by the Congested Districts Board; that a number of policemen are located under canvas on the island; that a number of them have had attacks of illness owing to being exposed to the severity of the weather; that police constables who had no experience in the management of boats are compelled to engage in that pursuit; and that a crew of them narrowly escaped drowning, and were saved by the islanders; and whether, in view of the offer made for the purchase of the island by the tenants, the police force will be continued on the island.
§ MR. WALTER LONGI have no information as to the first inquiry. Policemen are quartered under canvas on the island for the protection of the caretakers of an evicted farm. There has been no case of illness among the police owing to exposure to the weather. The constables employed as boatmen are competent oarsmen, and no narrow escape from drowning has occurred. The police will be retained on the island so long as their presence is necessary.
§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)How many policemen became ill owing to the fact that the porter on the island went sour?
§ MR. GILHOOLYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that while one policeman was in hospital both his father and mother died?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI do not see what that has to do with the Question on the Paper.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLIs there no chance of settling this wretched dispute?
§ MR. WALTER LONGI should not like to express an opinion.