§ MR. JOHN O'DONNELLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, whether the Congested Districts Board are negotiating with the Earl of Lucan with a view to purchasing that portion of his estate in the Ballinrobe Union, county Mayo, comprising several townlands almost entirely given over for grazing purposes; whether he is aware that large numbers of tenants were evicted from 920 these lands some fifty years ago, some of whom were permitted to live on a neighbouring marsh; that the descendants of these people live on the borders of these grazing ranches in a state of poverty and congestion: and, if so, whether he will see, when this estate is purchased, that these poor people will be supplied with economic holdings before applications from other persons are taken into consideration.
(Answered by Mr. Bryce.) The Congested Districts Board have not so far made an offer to purchase this estate, but the Question of purchase is under their consideration. If the Board should acquire the property they will, in accordance with their usual practice, provide for the enlargement of the small holdings upon it.