§ MR. PATRICK WHITETo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether Edward O'Brien, an evicted tenant on the estate of Mr. J. H. Nicholson, Balrath, Kells, county Meath, has applied to be reinstated in his former holding; what action has been taken; and whether, having regard to the fact that his former holding now forms part of an area of 5,000 acres given in the Returns prepared by the Commissioners as untenanted land, the Estates Commissioners will exercise the compulsory powers vested in them to restore this evicted tenant to his former holding.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners have inquired into the application of Edward O'Brien and have recorded his name as that of a person suitable to receive a holding. The case has been referred to an inspector with the object of providing O'Brien with a holding. The Commissioners approached Mr. Nicholson with the view of opening negotiations for the purchase of his untenanted lands, but he has declined to proceed.