§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether the amount retained from the Kerry County Council in respect of harbour guarantees during the years 1910 to 1914 is £2,020, an average of over £500 per annum, and about one-third of the total amount retained from all Ireland during this period; and whether, seeing that this charge has to be borne by the poorest and most congested portion of the county, he will take steps to have this money refunded to the county?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe statement contained in the first paragraph of the question is correct. As I have already stated, these abatements were made under Sub-section 5 of Section 58 of the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898, and I can hold out no-hopes that any portion may be refunded.