§ MR. DELANY (Queen's County, Ossory)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the agent on Mrs. Adair's estates at Mountmellick, Mr. E. Brown, has refused to permit the inspector to the Estates Commissioners to approach the planter who is in occupation of the holding from which Thomas Flanagan was evicted with the view of coming to an arrangement with him; and, if so, can he say what steps the Commissioners propose taking to effect the reinstatement, or otherwise provide a holding for Flanagan.
MR. BRYCEI am informed by the Estates Commissioners that the reply to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. It is understood that the present tenant of the evicted farm has signed a preliminary agreement to purchase. The Estates Commissioners, however, are in communication with Mrs. Adair as to the purchase of certain untenanted land in the locality, and Flanagan's application will be considered in connection with that or other untenanted land in the district which the Commissioners may acquire.