79. Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDasked the Chief Secretary the reason of the delay in the establishment of the auxiliary asylum in Tulla, county Clare; and whether, in view of the urgency for this institution, he will carefully consider the recommendations of the Ennis Asylum Committee?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have carefully considered the resolutions of the Ennis Asylum Committee. The proposal submitted by the committee was that the administration of the proposed auxiliary asylum at Tulla should be in the hands of a female religious community, without any resident medical officer to take charge of the 216 patients. The inspectors of lunatics do not regard any institution—no matter how admirable its general administration may be—as fully equipped and capable of fulfilling its duties to the insane poor unless it is provided with a resident medical officer possessing experience. The inspectors, are, therefore, unable to recommend the establishment of this auxiliary asylum unless a resident medical officer is appointed.
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDMay I ask if it is not a fact that there is an asylum on these lines already existing in Ireland?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes, Sir, and I am sorry to say that it does not meet with approval.