§ MR. DUFFY (Galway, S.)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state how far the negotiations for the purchase of Lord Gough's estate, near Gort, in the County Galway, have proceeded; whether the question of reserving the sporting rights by the landlord has been an impediment; and whether, in the interests of peace in the locality, he would have the Estates Commissioners to intervene in the hope of bringing about an amicable arrangement.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The Estates Commissioners are not aware of any recent negotiations for the purchase of Lord Gough's estate. As regards the remainder of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to my Answer to his similar Question on 9th May, 1907. For the reasons therein stated the Commissioners do not think that any useful purpose would be served by renewing their intervention in the matter.