§ MR. DOLANTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board for Ireland have received a Resolution adopted by the farmers of Kiltyclogher, county Leitrim, regarding the distress caused by the failure of the potato crop; and, if so, what steps they intend to take for the relief of distress in the district.
§ (Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Congested Districts Board have received the Resolution referred to, and have replied that the undertaking of works for the relief of distress is not one which falls within their province. The Local Government Board have also received a copy of the Resolution, and have ascertained from their inspector that there is no reason to apprehend exceptional distress even in the poorer parts of Manorhamilton union, in which Kiltyclogher is situate. The union is financially sound, and has always been able, without Government aid, to provide from its own resources for the relief of any distress which may have existed. The Local Government Board have, however, referred the Resolution to the guardians of the union, in order that they may decide whether it is necessary for 1014 them to take steps to afford relief to poor persons in the district of Kiltyclogher, under the provisions of Section 13 of the Local Government Act, 1898.