§ MR. NOLAN (Louth, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the fact that an inquiry has been presently held in Ardee into a proposal on the part of the Local Government Board, Ireland, to convert the three existing dispensary districts of Collon, Drumcondra, and Dunleer into two, at an extra cost to the ratepayers, that the balance of evidence at the inquiry was against the proposal, and that the proposal, if carried into effect, would leave some of the people likely to require advice a distance of fourteen miles from the residence of the medical officer, he can state what is the final decision arrived at by the Local Government Board in regard to the matter.
§ MR. ATKINSON (for Mr. WYNDHAM)The inquiry referred to was held in January of last year. In September the Local Government Board made an Order under Seal rearranging the dispensary districts. Application was then made to the King's Bench Division for a Writ of certiorari to quash the Board's Order, and was refused with costs. An appeal to the Court of Appeal was dismissed on the 2nd ultimo. The Board's Order is now being put into operation, and the Board has also regulated the salaries of the two existing medical officers, allowing to them the amounts formerly paid to three officers. No extra, cost to the ratepayers is entailed.
§ MR. NOLANIn consideration of these matters was regard had to the fact that the medical officer has to travel a distance of fourteen miles?
§ MR. ATKINSONEvery fact was considered by the Local Government Board. They did not agree with the accuracy of the representations made.