§ MR. JOYCE (Limerick)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland, whether an agreement has been entered into for the purchase by the tenants of the estate of General Taylor, at or near Clonlara, County Clare; does this estate carry fishery rights on the River Shannon,, and, if so, are those rights to go with the-sale of the estate; whether the Abbey fishermen of Limerick have paid a rental for this fishery for over 200 years; and whether, seeing that there are over forty families of those fishermen depending for a living on this fishery, and having; rented it for so many years, the Estates Commissioners will take care, before sanctioning the sale, that the rights of the Abbey fishermen are so safeguarded that they will not be disturbed, but will be confirmed either by purchase or by a fair rent which those men are willing to pay.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that no purchase agreements in respect of this estate have been lodged with them. If such agreements should be lodged the Commissioners will consider any representations which may be made to them on the subject of fishery rights.
§ MR. JOYCEWill a deputation on this subject be received in the near future by the Estates Commissioners?
§ MR. BIRRELLI have no control as to what deputations the Commissioners-may receive, but I have very little doubt they will consider any communication or representation that may be made on behalf of these persons.