§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the cases of Michael O'Sullivan, of Dooghs, Glenbeigh, and Daniel Murphy, of Dromin, Killorglin, both evicted tenants, have been inquired into by the Board's inspector; whether the persons at present in occupation of their holdings were asked to surrender, and, if so, with what result; and whether, seeing the local feeling aroused by those cases, he will endeavour to have them settled as quickly as possible.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have inquired into both of the cases mentioned. In the case of Michael O'Sullivan the owner of the property has recently died, and the Commissioners arc not at present in a position to say whether it will be possible to restore the evicted tenant to his former holding or provide him with another. In the case of Daniel Murphy the Commissioners have ascertained that Murphy was not evicted from the farm but surrendered it, and moreover the farm has since been purchased under the Land Acts by the present occupier who is not willing to give it up. In the circumstances, the Commissioners have decided to take no further action in the case.
§ MR. LONSDALE (Armagh, Mid.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the pressure put on the persons now in occupation of the farms to compel them to surrender them?
§ MR. BIRRELL.No, I am not, and I do not know that the hon. Member is.