§ MR. MEAGHER (Kilkenny, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will inquire if negotiations for the purchase of a portion of the estate of the late Major Healy, Folkscourt, county Kilkenny, have been entered into; if he is aware that, while a portion of the tenants have been induced to purchase at the price demanded by threats of legal proceedings for rent and arrears, another portion whose holdings are interspersed through the estate are not allowed to purchase at any price; will he inquire why, while three-fourths of the tenants in the village of Johnstown on the said estate are allowed to purchase, the other quarter are not allowed; that those who hold under middle landlords, who are willing to accept reasonable compensation, are also debarred from doing so; and will he see that an investigation into all the circumstances stated will be held, and that no sale is sanctioned until all the tenants are given an opportunity of purchase.
MR. BRYCEThe Estates Commissioners inform me that they have no knowledge of the facts alleged in the Question. Portion of the estate of Major Healy has already been sold to the tenants, and the Commissioners have no information as to any negotiations for the sale of the remainder which may be in progress. If full particulars should be furnished to them they will have the matter inquired into.