§ MR. SHEEHY (Meath, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that in the case of the application of two labourers for a house and acre and an additional half-acre in No. 3 district council of Edenderry by Mr. Hope and Mr. Durgnan, being granted by the inspector, Mr. Fitzpatrick, and the landlord, Mr. Langan, having appealed to the Local Government Board, a second inquiry was held by another inspector, Mr. Kelly, who decided against the applications; on what grounds was Mr. Kelly's decision upheld and Mr. Fitzpatrick's rejected; and how much land has Mr. Langan in his possession.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe facts are as stated in the Question. The further 1688 inquiry held by Mr. Kelly was ordered by the Local Government Board in pursuance of section 6 (4) (6), of the Labourers (Ireland) Act, 1906, the owner having presented a petition to the Board against the order made by Mr. Fitzpatrick. The Board, on consideration of Mr. Kelly's report and all the evidence, decided to accede to the petition in the two cases referred to. The grounds of objection relied upon by the petitioner, Mr. Langan, were set forth in his petition, copy of which was sent to the rural district council prior to the further inquiry. The Board are unable to say definitely what quantity of land Mr. Langan has in his possession, as he holds more than one farm. I understand that another appeal presented by him at the same time was disallowed.