HC Deb 26 February 1908 vol 184 c1771
MR. JOHN ROCHE (Galway, E.)

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the planters upon the Clanricarde estate have agreed to give up to the Estates Commissioners possession of the lands from which the original tenants were evicted, with a view of having them reintsated under the Bill of last year; whether he is aware that Lord Clanricarde has invoked the aid of the Law Courts to prevent the intention of the Act being carried out upon his estate; and what steps the Government intend to take in this matter.

MR. CHERRY

The Estates Commissioners inform me that a number of tenants on the Clanricarde estate have intimated that they are prepared, on terms, to give up possession of lands from which the original tenants were evicted. Lord Clanricarde has questioned the power of the Commissioners to deal with the matter, and some of the questions involved form the subject of a decision by Mr. Justice Wylie on the 25th instant. The learned Judge held that the Commissioners are not debarred from acquiring the lands on the grounds argued before him. The Commissioners understand, however, that his decision will form the subject of appeal. The Commissioners will proceed with the matter, if it be decided that they have the legal power to do so.