§ MR. PATRICK WHITE (Meath, N.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether a Mrs. Tiernan, on the estate of the Trustees of Hussey, Rathkenny, County Meath, purchased her holding; and, if so, how much money was, or will be, advanced to her for the purpose.
To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners received a memorial from the inhabitants of Rathkenny, County Meath, asking them to purchase the untenanted land on the estate of the Trustees of Hussey for distribution among the occupiers of uneconomical holdings in the district, and, having regard to the fact that the people were willing to take the land, upon whose authority the Commissioners decided that the land was unfit for distribution; whether the Commissioners propose to advance money, and how much, to Mr. John Tiernan for the purchase of land on this estate that he held on the eleven months system; 48 if they are aware that he is the only son of a lady who holds many hundred acres of land, and that it reverts to him on her death; and under what section of the Land Act of 1903 the advance will be made.
To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether, when the estate of the Trustees of Hussey, Rathkenny, County Meath, was sold to the occupying tenants, and the purchase agreements lodged with the Estates Commissioners, any agreement was lodged by John Tiernan for the 201 acres it is now alleged the owner sold him; if not, when was the purchase agreement lodged and upon what date was the tenancy created; whether and to what amount the Commissioners are empowered to advance money for the purchase of tenancies created since the passing of the Land Act of 1903; and whether, before advancing cash to John Tiernan, they will make further inquiries into his ability to farm the land he occupies.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) I will reply to these three Questions together. The Estates Commissioners inform me that an advance of £5764 has been made to Mrs. Tiernan for the purchase of a holding on this estate, held by her prior to the sale on a lease made in 1886 for a long term of years. The Commissioners received and fully considered the Memorial of the inhabitants of Rathkenny, but did not consider that, having regard to all the circumstances, they could comply with it. I have already explained to the hon. Member the circumstances in which the 201 acres were sold to Mr. John Tierman, who was in immediate occupation. The Commissioners cannot say whether he is or is not an only son and his mother's heir. The lands have been vested in him, and an advance of £4,422 has been made to him for the purchase. The matter is therefore closed. The residue of the lands referred to is being distributed among small occupiers.