asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether he will order a sworn inquiry, as requested by the urban district council, to be held into the hardships inflicted on the residents of Athy and South Kildare owing to the lack of hospital treatment and accommodation, and whether he will urge on the County Board of Health the necessity, in the interests of the public health, of reopening the fever hospital as soon as possible, and thereby give the people these much-needed services.

I do not see that any useful purpose would be served by the suggested inquiry. As regards the second part of the question, the necessity for providing hospital accommodation is being urged on the Kildare Board of Health.