§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that decrees have been issued against a number of tenants on the Arthur Blennerhasset estate, near Killorglin; and, in view of the suggestion already made that the Estates Commissioners should use their influence to promote a settlement of the purchase negotiations, can he say whether any, and, if so, what action has been taken in the matter.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that they have communicated with the solicitors for the owner offering their services as conciliators under the Lord-Lieutenant's regulations of the 13th February, 1906, and have been informed in reply that the owner is 878 not prepared to give any better terms to the tenants on the Killorglin portion of his property than those given to the other tenants. The solicitors also state that no proceedings have been taken against the tenants save those that would be taken in the ordinary course owing to their not having paid the September 1906 rent at the usual time, viz, February and March 1907. In the circumstances the Commissioners do not consider that they can further intervene in the matter.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that processes and executions were issued against twenty-five of these tenants for rents—a very unusual proceeding?
§ MR. BIRRELLI am told that attempts were made to recover rent in the ordinary course.