§ MR. FLYNN (Cork County, N.)I beg to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) if he will state for what periods respectively Mr. Carroll, recently appointed instructor in dairying, studied dairy work at the Midland Agricultural and Dairy Institute, Kingston, England, and at the Ladelund Institute, Denmark; what certificates or diplomas he possesses; where and how he obtained his special knowledge of machinery; whether there was a considerale number of competent experienced creamery managers available; and whether, in view of the objection of the Irish Creamery 1619 Managers' Association to the appointment of Mr. Carroll, the Department intend to retain him in this position.
§ THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR IRELAND (Mr. T. W. Russell, Tyrone, S.)Mr. Carroll appears to have attended the Dairy Institute at Kingston for a period of six weeks, and at Ladelund in Denmark for three weeks. So far as the Department know there are no diplomas given at these schools. Mr. Carroll's knowledge of machinery was gained by twelve years experience in the works of Messrs. Hornsby at Grantham. A number of creamery managers were interviewed at the same time as Mr. Carroll, and of the five persons appointed four were creamery managers. The appointment is a temporary one and it is not proposed to dispense with Mr. Carroll's services. The Department do not admit that these appointments should be confined to creamery managers.
§ MR. FLYNNBut what experience had this young gentleman before he was employed on the work of the Department 1
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLI have no responsibility for the appointment, which was made long before I became Vice-President of the Board, but he was trained under his father at Glasnevin and I understand from inquiries that he is doing his work satisfactorily. I have therefore no intention of disturbing this temporary appointment.
§ MR. T. L. CORBETTWho was it that recommended him to the late Vice-President?
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLI cannot say.