§ 30. Mr. SHEEHANasked what steps the right hon. Gentleman took to ascertain whether the representation of Daniel Cooney for a cottage near Coachford in the last improvement scheme of the Mac-room Rural District Council was rejected by this council; is he aware that Cooney, and not Murray, had his representation considered at the local inquiry and passed by the Local Government Board inspector; can he explain the circumstances under which the statement was made that the cottage in question was included in the scheme on the representation of Daniel Murray, when this man never appeared at the inquiry in support of it; is he now aware that the cottage in question was passed on the evidence given in support of Daniel Cooney's claim; and will the Local Government Board accordingly represent to the district council that Cooney is the original applicant within the meaning of the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, and therefore entitled to the tenancy of the cottage?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Local Government Board inform me that the clerk of the council and Mr. Hogan, a member of the council, both stated at the inquiry that the representation made on behalf of Cooney was rejected by the council. The statement that the cottage in question was included in the scheme by the council in pursuance of the representation lodged on behalf of Murray is quite correct. A scheme has always to be made, and advertisements and notices issued, before an inquiry can be ordered, and in this instance the scheme was made by the council in August, 1907, while the inspector's inquiry did not take place until February, 1908. There is no reason why 1431 the Local Government Board should intervene, as suggested, as the matter is one entirely for the district council.
§ 34. Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked whether a labourer who applied for a cottage a few years ago and had his application granted, the cottage being since built, is now entitled to it, although in the meantime he was compelled to leave the district to get employment elsewhere?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe selection of tenants for labourers' cottages is vested in each case in the rural district council, subject to the provisions of the Labourers Acts, one of which requires that on the first letting of any cottages proposed in a scheme preference shall be given to the agricultural labourers on whose behalf the representations were made on which the scheme was founded.
§ 35. Mr. LARDNERasked the right hon. Gentleman how many cottages have been erected and are at the moment in the occupation of labourers on the twenty-four sites acquired by the Cootehill (No. 2) Rural District Council between December, 2909, and August, 1910, and on the two sites acquired in January and July, 1911, respectively; how many cottages are in course of erection on any of these sites; whether contracts have been entered into for the remainder or arrangements made for erection by direct labour; and whether he will give directions to the Local Government Board to take such steps forth with as may be deemed advisable to have the remaining cottages provided in a district where agricultural labourers are most miserably housed, and where the need for proper housing is most acutely felt?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to the reply to his question on this subject on the 16th July last, to which I have nothing at present to add. The Local Government Board will again communicate with the District Council on the subject.
§ Mr. LARDNERHow long do the Local Government Board intend to give this rural district council an opportunity of depriving people of the cottages?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI think it must not be given much longer time.