HC Deb 30 March 1905 vol 143 cc1728-9
MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that, since the framing of the rule by the Agricultural Department excluding the people of a county from appointments as instructors in their own county, the appointment for Donegal of Mr. J. D. Cassidy, a native of the county, with a permanent residence therein, as an instructor in bee-keeping was sanctioned by the Department; why may not the departure from the rule which has been sanctioned in this case be sanctioned in other cases; and whether, having regard to the deadlock in the administration of agricultural schemes in Donegal and the discontent produced by this rule, he will advise its withdrawal.

MR. WALTER LONG

Yes, Sir, but the rule referred to was not made applicable to the bee-keeping scheme, as the instructor is employed for a short time only at two seasons of the year. It is not intended to modify the rule.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

What is the foundation of the rule? Why should people with a special knowledge of the county be boycotted?

MR. WALTER LONG

There is no justification for a charge of boycotting. I am informed that experience led those responsible to the conclusion that it was in the interest of the educated that the instructors should be chosen from another county. That practice has been adopted, theeffects of it are being carefully watched, and I am assured that those responsible attach great importance to it.

MR. SWIFT MACNEILL

Is Sir Horace Plunkett responsible for this?

MR. WALTER LONG

No, Sir, I am responsible.

MR. HAYDEN (Roscommon, S.)

Where does the Department get its knowledge as to the county from which these people come, seeing that they are not able to ascertain the nationality of other public officials?

MR. WALTER LONG

I imagine that the ordinary sources of information are open to them.

*MR. SPEAKER

Order, order! The Question on the Paper has been fully answered, and it cannot now be argued by means of further Questions and Answers. I hope hon. Members will have some regard to the claims of others who have Questions on the Paper.