MR. MAC NEILLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether he is aware that not one of the 125 Notices by tenants on the Olphert Estate in Falcarragh and Gweedore, to fix a fair rent of their holdings, has come on for hearing, although all these Notices were served previous to the 1st November, 1887; and, whether he will be prepared to take any and what steps to expedite the hearing of cases in which the interests of the tenants are so vitally concerned?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURFrom the Report received from the Land Commissioners it appears that the applications to fix judicial rents from the Olphert Estate, received by them before the 1st November, 1887, and at the present outstanding, number not 125, as alleged in the question, but 82. All cases received from this estate up to the 31st of December, 1887, are on the list for hearing, which will be issued in a few days. It may be recollected that the landlord has offered 25 per cent reduction, on non-judicial rents, and that any tenant against whom proceedings in ejectment are brought, who has made application to have a fair rent fixed, can apply to the Court in which such proceedings are pending to obtain a stay of execution upon such terms as the Court may direct.
MR. MAC NEILLMay I ask whether the right hon. Gentleman is aware that some of the tenants who have lodged these notices have actually been evicted and that others are to be evicted next Monday?
§ MR. A. J. BALFOURI am not aware of that.