§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieu tenant of Ireland whether he is aware 1430 that by agreement between the late Mr. J. W. Leahy and his tenants at Aghatu brid, near Cahirciveen, the purchase price of the estate was left to the Estates Commissioners; can he say when the Commissioners conveyed to the agent the terms on which the purchase was to be carried out; whether he is aware that processes have now been served on all the tenants for the Killarney sessions to be held on the 4th of April; whether, in view of the fact that the tenants have fulfilled their side of the bargain, he will state why the delay has been caused; and will he take steps to secure the withdrawal of these processes.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are aware of the agreement between the late Mr. Leahy and his tenants which is referred to in the Question. The Commissioners furnished, on 1st June, 1907, a preliminary estimate of price to the owner, who died in September following. In November, 1907, the attention of the Commissioners was directed to the fact that processes were being issued against the tenants by the new agent and they thereupon forwarded to him a copy of a letter which they had previously written to the late owner, intimating the price they were prepared to advance; and at the same time they furnished him with a copy of the agreement entered into between the late owner and the tenants in which the owner agreed to wipe out all arrears. The Commissioners are not at present in a position to make a formal offer to purchase the property, as the title of the present owner has not yet been proved. They cannot exercise any control as regards proceedings for the recovery of rent.