§ MR. JOYCETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether his attention has been called to the case of Mr. Robert McConkey, an official of the Irish Board of Works, who, after forty-six years service in various parts of Ireland, has been called upon to resign, without any charge, that he knows of, being brought against him, and who, after all those years of service, has been offered the sum of £41 as compensation; and whether he will inquire into this man's case, with a view to granting him a pension.
(Answered by Mr. McKenna.) This officer was retired in the ordinary course, on the ground of age and infirmity. The appointment which he held (overseer of the Shannon Navigation) did not entitle him to a pension on retirement, and he was treated in accordance with 767 the usual practice, under which gratuities have been awarded to officers holding like appointments in the past.