§ Mr. PATRICK MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that a first meeting of the joint committee of management of the new bridge at Water-ford was held on the 21st instant, and that no agenda was prepared or notice of any business to be transacted given; that instead of making the necessary preliminary arrangements a majority of the committee proceeded to create offices, fix salaries, and make appointments; that a proposal that notice should be given by public advertisement of the committee's intention to make these appointments and invite applications from suitable candidates, which proposal was supported by the solicitor for Waterford County Council, the solicitor for Kilkenny County Council, and the solicitor for Waterford Corporation, was defeated; that the representatives of Tip-perary and Queen's County Councils withdrew under protest; that the Press was excluded, and only ex parte statements given; and whether steps will be given to compel the members of this committee to discharge their duties openly in accordance with law and precedent which governs other local bodies in Ireland?
§ Mr BIRRELLI have no information on the subjects referred to in the question other than what appears in the local newspapers, and I have no control over the proceedings of the joint committee constituted and acting under Statute. If it has done anything illegal its proceedings can, I presume, be questioned in a court of law.