§ 25. Mr. O'MALLEYasked the Chief Secretary how many meetings of the Congested Districts Board (Ireland) have been held since Sir Henry Grattan Bellew became a member of the Board; and if he will state how many meetings of the Board Sir Henry Grattan Bellew has attended?
§ Mr. DUKEI am informed that there have been thirty-one meetings of the Congested Districts Board since Sir Henry 1597 Grattan Bellew became a member of the Board and that he has attended four of these meetings. Sir Henry has been engaged, I am told, on other public duties which have prevented his making the attendances he could otherwise have made.
§ Mr. O'MALLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of appointing a Galway man on this Board?
§ Mr. DUKEI have had some personal communications with members of the Board on this subject. I do not think at present that question arises in the interests of the public. If it arises attention will he given to the matter.
§ Mr. DEVLINConsidering that the Connemara district is one of the most congested under the Congested Districts Board would it not be desirable that the representative - appointed to represent these interests should be there or someone put in his place?
§ Mr. DUKEI know that the interests of the Conncmara district have been very definitely represented by various members of the Congested Districts Board. I will take care that representation is effectively made upon the matter, and if the necessity arises of asking Sir Henry Grattan Bellew, in view of the other public duties—I believe military duties—which he is performing, to resign his post in order that someone else may be appointed, we will do whatever may be necessary in the public interest.