§ MR. FETHERSTONHAUGH (Fermanagh, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland the reasons, if any, alleged for the impending dismissal of Mr. Patrick Duffy, principal teacher of Rosscor West national school, Belleek, county Fermanagh; whether he is aware that the proposed dismissal of Mr. Duffy is contrary to the wishes of the people of the district, who have sent in an influentially signed petition against it; and whether he will make inquiries with a view to having the dismissal withdrawn.
MR. BRYCEI am informed by the Commissioners of National Education that on October 10th, 1905, they ordered the dismissal of the teacher in question because of his long continued inefficiency. Two petitions praying for Mr. Duffy's retention as teacher have been received by the Commissioners; but, in view of the reports on the school, they are unable to depart from their decision. The matter is entirely one for the Commissioners to deal with.