§ MR. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the circumstances connected with Annagh bogs, Churchtown, Buttevant, county Cork; are they aware that, on the sale of the Egmont Estate in 1889, the tenants on the property we reassured that these lands were to be sold to them at reasonable terms, notwithstanding which promise, Captain Trench, agent to the estate, was recognised as tenant by the landlord, and subsequently purchased them at a reduced figure, with the result that he now holds these lands for which the tenants formerly paid,£174 yearly at an annual rent of £16; and whether, in view of the promises held out to the former tenants, and the fact that the State money was advanced to this gentleman to enable him to carry out the purchase, the Commissioners will communicate with Captain Trench with a view to inducing him to sell these lands to the former holders on reasonable terms.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Land Commission inform me that the holding referred to in the Question was purchased in 1901 by Captain Trench as tenant in occupation. The purchase price was £400, of which the purchaser paid £100 in cash and £300 was advanced under the Land Purchase Acts. The latter amount has since been redeemed. The Land Commission have no information that any such promise as is averred in the Question was made to the tenants of the estates.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe purchase has been completed and the annuity redeemed. Captain Trench is now the owner.
†See (4) Debates, clxxii., 1129–30.