HC Deb 12 March 1917 vol 91 cc723-4
33. Mr. SHEEHY

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether any complaint has been made to his Department by the tenants living in the townland of Ticroghan, county Meath, of the damage inflicted on them by a plague of rabbits which come in from the neighbouring farm of John H. Nicholson, of Balrath; whether he is aware that these rabbits destroy all the corn and green crops raised by these tenants, who have no redress because the landlord, who is an absentee, allows them to grow without restraint on his farm; whether the Department of Agriculture have any power to compel the destruction of pests of this kinds; and, if so, will he utilise his powers in this case?

Mr. DUKE

The Department do not appear to have received any complaint on the subject referred to, and they have no powers in regard to the destruction of rabbits in such a ease.

Mr. FARRELL

Did not the Department receive a complaint fourteen days ago?

Mr. DUKE

The reply I have here was given me this morning. There is some discrepancy.