§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether, in accordance with the promise that the Ventry estate would be purchased by the Congested Districts Board, and seeing that processes and writs are being served by the agent and that the tenants refuse to pay, steps will be taken immediately by the Board to reopen negotiations with the owner for the purpose of completing the purchase.
§ MR. BIRRELLAlthough it is inaccurate to say that the Congested Districts Board promised to purchase the Ventry estate, it is the fact that the Board opened negotiations for the purchase of the estate, and I hope that it may be found possible to proceed with those negotiations without much delay.