§ 26. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary if he can say under what Statute or Regulation the Local Government Board can on the ground of his being of military age veto the appointment of a doctor for a dispensary district in Ireland after his election by the guardians of the union of that district at a meeting properly convened for that purpose; whether he is aware that the Local Government Board refuse to sanction the appointment of Doctor Michael Fitzgibbon, for the Askeaton, county Limerick, dispensary district, because he is of military age; and whether, as the guardians of the Rath-keale Union will not comply with their decision, he will have his appointment sanctioned and thus be the means of preventing friction in this matter?
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYMay I ask did the right hon. Gentleman see the opinion of counsel which was published the other day in reference to this matter stating that the Local Government Board had no power to veto the appointment of doctors for dispensary districts because they were under military age, and will he give his attention to that?
§ Mr. DUKEI understand some question of legality has arisen. I am not aware of the opinion to which the hon. Member refers, but it may be the existence of a thing of that kind which has delayed the answer to the question.