§ Mr. DUFFYasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state how many head constables of the Royal Irish Constabulary in Ireland discharge duties properly belonging to sub-inspectors; are they obliged to do so without any special remuneration when head constables apply for and are granted leave of absence on holidays; is the inspector nominally in charge of the station obliged to discharge the duties of the head constable, and, in case the inspector is not permitted or allowed to do so; whether the expense of bringing a head constable from the depot or elsewhere to temporarily discharge the duties is borne by the district inspector or charged to public funds?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe only instances in which head constables discharge the duties of district inspectors are (1) those where vacancies exist for district inspectors which have unavoidably to remain unfilled for some time, (2) where district inspectors are sick, and (3), where district inspectors are on leave of absence. It is not possible to give the number of such cases as they are constantly varying from time to time according to circumstances. Head constables so acting receive no extra remuneration. The duties of head constables absent on leave are discharged by the senior sergeant at each station. Head constables2016W are not, as a rule, sent to take temporary charge of other districts except when both the district inspector and the head constable of a district are necessarily absent at the same time, either on duty or through illness. In such cases the expenses are charged to the public. Should it be necessary to send a head constable to take temporary charge during the absence of an officer on leave or on urgent private business, the expense involved would be charged to the officer concerned.