HC Deb 12 August 1879 vol 249 cc817-8
MR. O'SHAUGHNESSY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If his attention has been called to the Petition presented by Dr. G. Sampson, of Moynoe, in the County of Clare, setting forth the circumstances under which certain rights enjoyed by him as sub-tenant of lands were abrogated by the sale of the said lands by the Commissioners of Church Temporalities in Ireland; and, whether he will lay the allegations of the said Petition before the said Commissioners, and obtain from them a statement of their views thereon?

MR. J. LOWTHER

The Commissioners of Church Temporalities appear to have acted in this matter with great consideration for the parties. When the legal time had expired during which they might have given the notice, the Commissioners caused their attention to be specially drawn to the fact that the notice had not been given, and that the legal time had expired, and they then gave them further time for taking the prescribed steps. All the parties were bound to know the provisions of the law affecting their interests; but the Commissioners issued a Circular, a copy of which can be produced, calling their attention to the steps that should be taken. Notwithstanding that, no steps were taken by the gentleman named in the Question, or by the other parties, until after the sale had taken place; and, under those circumstances, the Commissioners felt themselves unable to vary the decisions that have been published.