§ MR. SWIFT MACNEILL (Donegal, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that representations were made to the Estates Commissioners in 772 October, 1907, and in June, 1908, that the owner of the Bustard estate, situate in the electoral divisions of Inver and Dunkineely, County Donegal, was willing to sell the property through the Estates Commissioners; as this estate, outside the tenants' holdings, comprises 1,449 acres of untenanted land in the owner's possession what steps, if any, did the Commissioners take to interview the owner or inspect the property; and whether, having regard to the fact that this grazing tract is urgently needed to relieve congestion in the district and give some land to the landless fishermen and others in these electoral divisions, measures will be promptly instituted to expedite the sale.
§ MR. CHERRYThe Estates Commissioners received representations made to them on behalf of the tenants in December, 1907, and June, 1908. So far back as July, 1907, the Commissioners communicated with the owner offering to inspect the untenanted land on the estate with a view to purchase, and have since addressed him on several occasions, but have received no reply. The Commissioners do not consider that they can take any further steps in the matter at present. If the owner is willing to sell his tenanted and untenanted land, as suggested in the Question, he should institute formal proceedings before the Commissioners.