January 21st, 1846: The Relief Commission tells the Treasury what it does not wish to hear. In a report critical of British government relief policy, the commissioners assert the landowners cannot be relied on "to any considerable extent". Secondly, "a very large sum of money", not less than Pounds 500,000, is required from public funds to meet the probable emergencies of the Irish poor.
The government views its role in relief operations as "stimulating, directing and supporting but not superseding" the landlords' duty.
The chairman of the commission, Edward Lucas, will be replaced shortly by Sir Randolph Routh.
The report quotes the estimate of Prof Robert Kane that 700,000 tons of potatoes should be withdrawn for use as seed for next year's crop, and an equivalent proportion of other food provided. "We are aware that an abundant crop of oats, not diminished by the usual exportation, affords means within the country, and probably within every district, of supplying the deficiency to those who have means where with to make the purchase."
It would cost Pounds 2,100,000 to purchase oats for the peasantry. "A less costly description of food as for instance Indian corn, a supply of which we are informed may shortly be expected, would of course cause a proportionate diminution in this estimate."
The report adds: "The poor houses will, without doubt, be found a most important means of relief and we consider it a most providential circumstance that such an extensive resource is available against a calamity more widely extended and more serious in its nature than any that has affected the Irish poor since 1817."
But the present "potato failure and the minute subdivisions of land in which it prevails lead us to entertain the greatest doubt whether any adjustment of Public Works can be made to meet the need wherever it may occur - and it must be met or death from famine may be the result".
January 27th: Charles Hamilton and John O'Connor JP, from Co Meath, urge the commissioners to reconsider the requirement that labourers on public works are to be paid below the standard rate. Unless the wages enable a man to feed his family, it would be better to state openly that work houses are the only relief the government is disposed to offer the starving population. "The commissioners appear to consider that there cannot be distress to any great extent in a district where there is to be found a vacancy in the poor houses. But in using this test we think they have not sufficiently considered that the Poor Law is a new institution, the people look upon availing themselves of its provisions as a last resource.