§ MR. JOHN O'DONNELL (Mayo, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the distribution of some grazing farms on the Isadore Bourke Estate, near Claremorris, county Mayo, the Congested Districts Board gave two large holdings to a grazier named Connaughton, who has already over 300 1080 acres of land on that and neighbouring estates; and, if so, whether steps will be taken to get back these holdings with a view to relieving congestion in the district.
§ (Answered by Mr. Wyndham.) The land (142 acres) to which reference is made had been in uninterrupted possession of Thomas Connaughton for many years. When the Board acquired the estate in 1902 the lands were partitioned into five holdings on which suitable dwellings were erected. One of these holdings (49 acres) was given to Connaughton by the Board. It is not proposed to disturb him in the occupation of the holding.