§ MR. J. P. FARRELLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, if he will state the cause of the delay in completing the sale of the Maconchy estate in North Longford; whether he is aware that the tenants have now paid three years' interest in lieu of rent, in addition to the price agreed on between the landlord and tenants; and if, with a view to putting a stop to further loss to them, he will ask the Estates Commissioners to now issue the vesting orders and complete the sale.
1394 (Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners inform me that the delay in completing the sale of the estate mentioned in the Question arose through difficulties in dealing with the turbary on the property. This matter has now been disposed of, and a scheme under Sections 4 and 20 of The Irish Land Act, 1903, and regulations under Section 21 of the Act are in course of completion, and when these have been settled the sales to the tenants on the estate will be completed. It is therefore expected that the holdings will be vested in the tenants at an early date.