§ MR. WILLIAM REDMOND (Clare, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to the proceedings at Bodyke, County Clare, where a force of 70 armed police were recently engaged in seizing the cattle of some tenants who alleged that they were unable to pay their rents in full; and whether, as the tenants in the neighbourhood of Bodyke are unable to pay the judicial rents, the Government will take some steps to have those rents revised, so as to prevent evictions and disturbance in the district?
MR. J. MORLEYThe constabulary report that it is a fact that a force of 75 police was engaged on the 11th ult. not in seizing cattle, but in protecting the Sheriff on his requisition when doing so, on the estate of Colonel O'Callaghan at Bodyke. The proceedings were taken on writs of fi. fa. and County Court decrees for rent, and it is true that the tenants on the estate allege that they are unable to pay their rents in full. The Government are not prepared, as at present advised, to take steps to have the judicial rents in the district revised.
§ MR. W. REDMONDI wish to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman's answer means that the Government will do nothing with regard to judicial rents during this Session?
MR. J. MORLEYNo, Sir; I do not mean more than I have said. I mean that a question of such gravity and Importance will receive my attention.