MR. MURRHY (Kerry, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what steps the Estates Commissioners have taken to secure the re-instatement of evicted tenants like Mr. Daniel Shea on the Kenmare Estate, and Mr. Morty Buckley on the Morrogh Bernard Estate, and other similar cases where the farms are at present untenanted in the county of Kerry; whether the Commissioners will at once negotiate for a re-instatement of such tenants even if a general sale of the landlord's estate does not take place; and, in the event of such landlords obstructing re-instatement, do the Estates Commissioners possess or will he take steps to give them legislative powers to enforce their decision.
§ MR. WYNDHAMNo application for the sale of the estates on which the two evicted holdings in question are situated has yet been made to the Estates Commissioners. Failing such application the Commissioners are empowered to arrange, where possible, for the accommodation of evicted tenants on other untenanted lands in the neighbourhood that may be acquired by them. The sale to an evicted tenant of his previous holding can best be effected as a part of a general arrangement for the sale of an estate.
§ MR. MURPHYI want to ask if, in the case of the farms of evicted tenants still untenanted, the Estates Commissioners will do anything to secure the re-instatement of the tenants? This matter is of great importance in the county of Kerry. Will the right to a Gentleman call upon the Estate commissioners to take action in the matter?
§ MR. WYNDHAMreplied that the Estates Commissioners were fully alive to the importance of the matter and he had every confidence in them; no useful purpose was served by continually raising the question.