§ MR. GILHOOLY (Cork County, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that Sub-Commissioner McElligott who has recently heard land cases to have fair rents fixed at Bantry, Castletown, Berehaven, is the gentleman whose judicial conduct in Longford gave such dissatisfaction as to have his removal called for; and whether, seeing that he owes his original appointment to the Earl of Kenmare, and that the Earl of Kenmare has a large estate, convenient to the sphere of Mr, McElligott's duties, he will suggest his removal from that district.
MR. BRYCEMr. McElligott was originally appointed by the Lord-Lieutenant as an Assistant Land Commissioner so far back as 1896, and he has since been continuously so employed. The Land Commission inform me that they are not aware that Mr. McElligott's work has caused dissatisfaction, though, of course, it is not unusual for both the landlord and the tenant to be dissatisfied with the rent fixed, the one being of opinion that it is too low and the other that it is too high. The Land Commission have no information as to the circumstances in which Mr. McElligott; was originally appointed, and do not 1288 believe that any such circumstance as is alleged in the Question would in any way influence him in the performance of his duties.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDIn view of the grave complaints made against this official from various parts of Ireland will the right hon. Gentleman seriously consider the advisability of reappointing him?
MR. BRYCEsaid he was not aware that there were complaints of a general character. There were individual cases, no doubt, in which people were dissatisfied. The whole subject of the appointment of these Commissioners would shortly have to be considered.