§ MR. ROCHE (Galway, E.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can state the acreage of the Longworth Estate, in county Galway, purchased by the Congested Districts Board; how much of it is untenanted; how long this portion is in the possession of the Board; what use is being made of it; when it is intended to divide it up amongst small adjoining occupiers; and what is the cause of the delay in currying out the work of dividing this land.
§ MR. ATKINSONThe estate contains 1,316 acres, all untenanted. It has not yet been vested in the Board, but it is expected this will be done in a few weeks. The lands are being let for grazing until the Board are in a position otherwise to deal with them.
§ MR. ROCHEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the large quantity of untenanted land in this neighbourhood is giving rise to a great deal of dissatisfaction? Will he draw the attention of the Congested Districts Board to the fact?
§ MR. ATKINSONThe Board have stated that they are dealing with the question.
§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)To whom are the lands being let? Is it to the adjoining tenants?
§ MR. ATKINSONI cannot say.