§ Mr. HALPINasked whether the police in a protection hut in the Kilmihil district, West Clare, are allowed to work for the farmer whom they are protecting; whether they are allowed to go into a public-house with the said farmer when on duty and take intoxicating drink from him; and whether a person having a licence to sell intoxicating drink is permitted to sell the same to the police when on duty?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe police in the hut do not work for the person whom they are protecting. On one occasion, when a labourer left without notice, they assisted him in tying some loads of hay for his cattle. There could be no objection to their doing so. They also work in their spare time in the garden attached to the hut. They are not only allowed, but directed to enter public-houses and other places with the person under their protection. When absent from their hut they have to obtain refreshments for themselves, but they do not accept them from him. They have often no alternative but to obtain their refreshments in public-houses.