§ Colonel McCALMONT (Antrim, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that on Sunday, 23rd June, one of the Newry and Dundalk steamship steamers conveyed the Dundalk Roman Catholic Temperance Society excursion from Dundalk to Kingstown, that after leaving Dundalk, one of the passengers, Patrick Hughes, cut down the Union Jack, or red or blue ensign, and threw it overboard; 882 if this man is a rate collector for the local authority, with the approval of the Local Government Board; if officials are permitted to take part in political demonstrations and commit such acts of disloyalty; and what action the Government propose to take in the matter.
§ MR. BIRRELLI am aware that newspaper reports to the effect stated in the Question have appeared. Mr. Patrick Hughes, the person referred to, was appointed rate collector by the local authority, with the approval of the Local Government Board, in the year 1900. No complaint has been received by the Board as to Mr. Hughes' alleged conduct in this case, and they have no evidence as to the facts.