§ Mr. PATRICK WHITE (for Mr. Kendal O'Brien)asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he has directed the county committee of agriculture and technical instruction for North Tipperary to dismiss their secretary, and refused to assign any reason for his action when requested by the committee to do so; if he is aware that the secretary, Mr. Walsh, has held the position for the past nine years and at the end of the first six years got an increase in salary for his efficiency with the approval of the Department; whether he will state what has since taken place to justify its change of attitude; whether it is usual with his Department to dictate to the elected representatives of the people whom they should employ; whether he will state if the work of the local committee is at present at a standstill; and, if so, from what cause?
§ Mr. P. WHITEalso asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), whether the North Tipperary committee of agriculture and technical instruction has refused to dismiss their secretary at the instance of his Department; if the local committee requested the Department to state its reasons for desiring the dismissal of Mr. Walsh; if so, what reply the Department gave; and whether there is any, and, if so, what, objection in this case to confer with the local committee on matters affecting the future progress of the Department's work in their district?
The VICE-PRESIDENT of the DEPARTMENT of AGRICULTURE (Ireland) (Mr. T. W. Russell)I will circulate the reply with the Votes and Proceedings; but I may add that I am satisfied as to the desirability of the action taken. [See Written Answers this Date.]
§ Mr. P. WHITEHas the right hon. Gentleman any objection to an interview with the local committee?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI have had two interviews with the local committee.