asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if he will state why he has not replied to my letter of the 5th March, 1926, asking him to receive a deputation from the tenants of the Kilbrew Estate, Co. Meath (Murphy), and if he is prepared to receive the said deputation, and, if not, for what reason.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - AN UNANSWERED LETTER.
Mr. HOGAN
The letter referred to was transmitted to the Land Commission, who have had the subject thereof under consideration and a reply was issued to the Deputy on the 22nd instant.
Not from the Minister.
Mr. HOGAN
From the Land Commission.
Will the Minister state if it is usual for the Land Commission to reply to correspondence forwarded to him, and whether it is the duty of his private secretary to reply to Deputies who communicate with him on matters of importance?
Mr. HOGAN
The Land Commission replies to about 90 per cent. of the letters sent to me.
What about the other 10 per cent.?
Mr. HOGAN
I reply to about 10 per cent. The Land Commission replies to about 90 per cent. and the same applies to the Department of Agriculture. I am not aware that there is anything wrong about that.
I would like to ask the Minister if it is not a fact that if I had not tabled the question I would have got no reply at all?
Mr. HOGAN
If I denied that the Deputy would not believe me.