§ MR. PATRICK O'BRIEN (Kilkenny)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the circumstances which led to the eviction of James O'Neill, of Dumascallon, Desertmartin, Co. Derry, in January 1896; whether he is aware that O'Neill has applied under the Land Act of last Session to the Land Commission to use their good offices as mediators between O'Neill and his landlord with a view to his reinstatement; and whether the Land Commission took any steps to bring about the reinstatement of O'Neill; and, if so, with what result?
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURO'Neill was evicted after the 1st January 1896, and the Land Commissioners have no 916 power, therefore, to proceed with his application. The provisions of Section 17 of the Land Act of last year would only apply if the eviction had taken place before the 1st January 1896.