§ Mr. CHARLES CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that a man named Colman M'Donagh was, until a few weeks ago, employed by the Congested Districts Board on board their ice boat at Arran Island, county Galway; that the Rev. Mr. Farragher, the president of the United Irish League in Arran Island, and the leader of the boycott against a certain family on the island, threatened M'Donagh that if he continued speaking to certain persons who were obnoxious to the League he would lose his job; that two days later M'Donagh received a telegram from the Board dismissing him, and that his position was given to the treasurer of the local branch of the United Irish League; and what steps he intends to take to have M'Donagh reinstated and to prevent the United Irish League interfering in the appointment and dismissal of the Congested Districts Board's officials?
§ Mr. REDMOND BARRYM'Donagh was employed by the Congested Districts Board during the spring mackerel fishing of 1910, but the Board did not renew his engagement in 1911. He was not dismissed. The Board have no knowledge of the threats said to have been used by Father Farragher. They cannot say whether the present caretaker is connected with the United Irish League, but that body had nothing to do with their decision not to re-employ M'Donagh.
§ Captain CRAIGMay I ask how it is when it suits His Majesty's Government to know occasionally when the United Irish League are at work in these matters they are able to inform the House of the fact, and when it does not suit them they know nothing about it?
§ Mr. MOOREWill the right hon. Gentleman explain what is the difference between dismissing a man and not renewing his employment?
§ Mr. DUFFYIs there a shadow of foundation for the question by the hon. Gentleman in respect of the reverend gentleman, Father Farragher?
§ Captain CRAIGMay I ask if there is a shadow of foundation—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI would point out to hon. Members that we have got over a hundred questions on the Paper.
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDOn the point of Order, may I ask whether you consider it is in order to put into a question such as this a serious charge against this reverend gentleman, that he is the leader of a boycott of a certain family, when there is no proof whatever to sustain it?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI have known serious charges put in questions not only above the Gangway but below the Gangway. When a question appears it is perfectly impossible to say whether the charge JS well founded or not. It is only when we get the answer that we are able to arrive at a judgment upon it.
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask you very respectfully, on the point of Order, whether it is within the competence of any Member of this House, without any proof to sustain it, to place in a question a serious charge against any person, much less a reverend gentleman; and whether that charge is to remain on the Paper of the House until such time as it may be dispelled by the answer given by a Minister?
§ Captain CRAIGMay I ask on that point of Order whether the very fact that this question is asked by me and appears in the name of the hon. Member for South Antrim makes him responsible for the facts, and I accept full responsibility on his behalf for what appears on the Paper?
§ Mr. MacVEAGHYou will not repeat it outside the House.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI give a similar answer. My business is to strike out every question that is improper, but it is impossible for me, until I have heard the answer, to know whether a charge is well founded or not.
§ Mr. MacVEAGHHe will not repeat it outside the House.
§ Mr. SPEAKERI would appeal to hon. Members to let us get on with the questions, as it is now ten minutes past Three o'clock.