§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he is aware that the shareholders of the Co-operative Dairy Society, Rattoo, county Kerry, have objected to the committee of that society dispensing with the services of their manager on the mere grounds that he refused to send exhibits to the Department's surprise butter competitions; whether the Department recommended to the society for the position of manager a recent pupil of the Ballyhaise school who has had no practical experience of creamery management; whether there was a meeting of the shareholders held in the village of Ballyduff on Sunday, 5th September; if there was any rioting on the occasion; and whether anybody was injured?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELLThe answer to the first and second parts of the question is in the negative. As to the third part, the Department have no information.
§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Mr. Patrick O'Brien, National school teacher, of Bally-duff, county Kerry, is also acting as secretary to the Rattoo Co-operative Dairy Society; whether the rules of the Commissioners of National Education allow him to hold both positions; and, inasmuch as he has recently done a considerable amount 1065W of work in the Rattoo society's creamery, and taken a prominent part in a dispute between different sections of the shareholders regarding the dismissal of a manager, what steps he intends to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Commissioners of National Education to whom this question has been referred have no information on the point, but they will cause inquiry to be made into the matter. Under the terms of Rule 88 of the Code national teachers are not permitted to carry on or engage in any business or occupation that would impair their usefulness as teachers.