asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health if he will state why the claim of William McNally, of Flower-hill, Navan, who was appointed to take stock at the Meath County Hospital for the period ending 30th September, 1924, for the sum of ten pounds, has not been paid.

The Meath County Board of Health declined to make this payment as the stocktaker did not carry out his duties satisfactorily or in accordance with the County Boards of Health Accounts Order, 1924.

Has this man done a certain amount of work—the major portion—and is he not entitled to payment for what he has done?

I believe his work has been unsatisfactory, and therefore there is no reason why he should be paid for the work.

Has the man not done a certain amount of the work to the best of his ability? I believe, from what I have been told, that McNally carried out his duties, but that through some reason he has not been paid for the work he has done. Was the man incapable?