§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)To ask the Chief, Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Iceland, whether he is aware that the Irish Railway Commission have acceded to the request made to them on behalf of the associated railway companies to be represented by counsel before the Commission; and, in view of this fact, will he see that the Department takes steps to have counsel appear before the Commission in the interests of the farmers, traders, and manufacturers of Ireland.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) I understand that the Viceregal Commission on Irish Railways has acceded with certain restrictions to an application made on behalf of the railway companies to be represented by counsel, and to a similar application from the general council of the county councils. The Department of Agriculture are authorised by Section 17 of the Act establishing the department to appear on behalf of aggrieved persons before the Railway and Canal Commissioners, but have no similar authority as regards appearance before other bodies. The answer to the latter part of the Question is therefore in the negative. In my opinion, complaints of the farmers, traders, and manufacturers of Ireland, and the whole case to be made on their behalf, can be adequately brought before the Commission without the employment of counsel.