§ Mr. JOHN O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he will state what are the dates, respectively, of the appointments of Messrs. Irving, Derenelly, and Doolan as horticultural inspectors, the salary which each is receiving, and the amount of travelling expenses paid to each one during the fifteen months ending 31st March last; whether those appointments were the result of a competitive examination or of nomination; if nominated, by whom was the nomination given; whether he will give the number of horticultural inspectors employed in Ireland at the present time; how many are Protestants and how many are Roman Catholics; whether, if the above-named gentlemen are Protestants, they have been appointed to their posts through any 2301 exceptional and superior qualifications which Catholics did not possess; and whether he will say what are the duties of persons holding such offices under the Agricultural Department in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI understand that these gentlemen are overseers not inspectors. Mr. Irving's salary is £200 a year, Mr. Derenelly's £114 rising by £10 to £150 a year, and Mr. Doolan's £110 rising by £10 to £150 a year. They are allowed second-class travelling expenses. They were not appointed by competitive examination, but selected by the Department from men trained by themselves and in their own service. All three were trained at the Albert Agricultural College, Glasnevin, and have been in the Department's service for over five years. The Department have not made, and do not intend to make, any inquiry as to the religion of their officers.