§ MR. JAMES P. FARRELLI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been called to a petition presented to this House by 121 tenant purchasers on five properties in the parish of Newtowncashel, barony of Ratheline and county of Longford, praying for an extension of the period for repaying instalments from 49 to 70 years; and can he hold out any hope that the prayer of the petition will be granted?
§ MR. J. DALY (Monaghan, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he has received petitions from the tenants on the Bath and Leonard Estates in the county Monaghan, who purchased their holdings under the Ashbourne Acts, asking an extension of time in paying the instalments from 49 to 70 years; and if he will grant the prayer of the petitioners?
§ CAPTAIN DONELAN (Cork, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in view of the generally expressed opinion of farmers who have availed themselves of the Irish Land Purchase Acts in favour of an extension of the period of payment, and corresponding reduction in amount of instalments, he will consider the desirability of making provision to this effect in the forthcoming Irish Land Bill?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI have to say that I have received a number of resolutions of the nature referred to, and that the matter is receiving the earnest consideration of the Government; but that, at present, I am not in a position to make any further or more definite statement in the matter.
§ MR. D. MACALEESE (Monaghan, N.)I will not put the question standing in my name, but I desire to ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, if the tenants on whose behalf I put the question paid 453 19 years of purchase, under these circumstances he will consider them en-titled to some special consideration?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURI am sorry I omitted to ascertain that particular fact, but I will ascertain it for the hon. Member, it he so desires.