Captain CRAIGasked the Chief Secretary whether he can state the nature of the irregularities that have been committed by the Dungarvan union; whether an inquiry was recently held by the Local Government Board; and, if so, will he lay a copy of the report upon the Table; whether he can state the amounts of public money squandered illegally under the scheme of that council by direct labour; whether a Mr. William Stack is in any way implicated, and, if so, to what extent; and what steps the Government propose to take in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe irregularities referred to took place in connection with the building by the Dungarvan Rural District Council of labourers' cottages by direct labour instead of by contract. An inquiry was held by the Local Government Board at the request of the council. The inspector's report and transcript of evidence are voluminous, and I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by laying them on the Table of the House. The Board estimate that owing to the irregularities there was an excess expenditure of over £2,000. Mr. Slack is chairman of the district council, but it did not appear that he was directly concerned in the transactions. The Board have communicated the result of the inquiry to the district council, and it is now for the council to consider what steps should be taken with regard to the action of their officials.