MR. O'CONNOR POWER,in moving for leave to bring in a Bill to amend "The Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act, 1870," said, he must express his regret that he rose at an hour of the morning which would prevent his entering into any lengthened statement of the provisions of the Bill he was about to introduce. As great expectations had undoubtedly been raised upon all subjects connected with the Irish Land Question, he wished to say that he did not propose in the short Bill which he now asked leave to introduce into the House to deal with that question generally. He had read the Irish Land Act of 1870 very carefully since he had heard the description of that measure given by the right hon. Gentleman the Prime Minister; and he was anxious that the House should pass a short measure, repealing those portions of the 9th section of that Act which limited the discretion of the Court in awarding compensation for disturbance in cases of ejectment for non-payment of rent. He was anxious to do something during the 741 present short Session to relieve the tenant farmers of Ireland from the operation of that section, without prejudging their case, or interfering with any other measure that might be brought forward. The provisions of this short Bill would enable a tenant to get justice from a Court; and he would express a hope that Her Majesty's Government would be able to give their support to it. It would be perfectly idle to enter into a discussion of the measure at that hour; and having explained its provisions as shortly as he could he would ask leave to bring it in.
§ Motion agreed to.
§ Bill to amend "The Landlord and Tenant (Ireland) Act (1870)," ordered to be brought in by Mr. O'CONNOR POWER, Mr. GRAY, Dr. COMMINS, Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY, and Mr. SYNAN.
§ Bill presented, and read the first time. [Bill 190.]