§ MR. O'SHEE (Waterford, W.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether it is competent for the Commission now sitting to investigate the manner in which the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction have exercised the patronage at their disposal, as well as the manner in which they have interfered with county committees with regard to appointments.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) If by the first part of the Question the hon. Member intends to refer to the relations between the Department and their staff, I may refer to the statement I have already made, namely, that it was never intended that the Committee should inquire into any alleged grievances of the staff. The question of the relations between the Department and county committees in regard to appointments is, I think, one with which the Committee might deal, but in saying so I must be understood to be expressing my own opinion, and not 168 to be interfering with the discretion of the Committee in the matter.