§ MR. DILLON (Mayo, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been specially drawn to the condition of the people in the union of Swinford due to the failure of the potato crop in that union; and whether he will consider the desirability of placing a sum of money at the disposal of the Congested Districts Board for the purpose of carrying out drainage and other much needed works in that union during the coming spring.
MR. BRYCEThe Reports which I have received indicate that there has been a partial failure of the potato crop in the Swinford Union, but that other crops have been good, and that good prices for live stock prevail. It is not anticipated that any exceptional distress is likely to exist in the union for some time to come, but the condition of the people will continue to be carefully watched. The Congested Districts Board hold that they cannot undertake works for the relief of temporary or exceptional distress. Their power to execute improvement works is confined to estates which have been purchased by and vested in them. The Board are alive to the importance of carrying out any works they can carry out in the places and at the times most likely to be helpful for the relief of distress.