§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the deadlock in the administration of the agricultural schemes in Donegal owing to the Department's rule excluding the people of a county from appointments as instructors in their own county still continues; and, if so, whether he, as President of the Department, will advise the withdrawal of this rule.
§ MR. WALTER LONGThe Donegal County Committee have put the live stock schemes and the flax scheme into operation. They have also allocated funds for schemes of instruction in butter-making, poultry-keeping, and horticulture, but have not, so far as the Department are aware, yet taken steps to secure the services of suitable instructors in connection with these schemes, although many qualified Irish candidates are available. I am not prepared to advise the withdrawal of the rule referred to.
In reply to a further Question,
§ MR. WALTER LONGsaid he had no reason to believe there was any general dissatisfaction with the operation of the rule. The whole matter had been the subject of careful inquiry.