HC Deb 02 September 1909 vol 10 cc556-8
Mr. FRANCIS MEEHAN (Leitrim, N.)

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Local Government Board have deducted a sum of £292 for extra police tax from the amount of money payable to the Leitrim County Council out of the Local Taxation Fund; and whether, having regard to the fact that the county council protested against the importation of extra police, their services not being required, as the county was in a peaceable condition, the Local Government Board were justified in thus penalising the ratepayers of Leitrim; and whether he will make representations in the proper quarter with a view of having this amount refunded?

Mr. CHERRY

On the 12th August the Lords Justices made an Order under Section 80 (2) of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, for the deduction from sums payable from the local taxation account to the county council of Leitrim of a sum of £292 10s. 6d., due to that body in respect of extra police expenses for the half-year ended 31st March, 1909. The amount has been paid over to the Inspector-General, Royal Irish Constabulary, and a copy of their Excellencies' Order has been forwarded in the usual course to the Local Government Board with a view to its deduction in the next allocation to be made by that Department of grants from the local taxation account. The answer to the concluding paragraph of the question is in the negative.

Mr. F. MEEHAN

Had the county council received any notice of the intention of the Local Government Board to take proceedings?

Mr. CHERRY

The proceedings are not taken by the Local Government Board. It is the Lord Lieutenant who makes the Order.

Mr. F. MEEHAN

Have the county council a right of appeal against a decision of this nature?

Mr. CHERRY

No, Sir. The Lord Lieutenant has an absolute right to make deductions in respect of any amount due from the council.

Mr. CULLINAN

Is it not the case that under this provision any landlord in Ireland who wishes can deliberately obstruct the working of the Land Act and therefore involve the taxpayer in enormous taxation?

Mr. SPEAKER

That is a matter of opinion.