§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether William Corrigan, who has lately been elected a member of the Clonmel District Council, has been selected by the Estates Commissioners as a fit and proper person to be restored to the holding from which he was evicted in 1896 for non-payment of eight years rent; and, if so, will he give the reasons which prompted the Estates Commissioners to recommend for reinstatement a person who had failed to pay his rent for eight years.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are of opinion that the evicted tenant in question is a suitable person to be restored to his former holding or provided with a new one. He is eligible for reinstatement under the Act, and the fact that he was in arrear with his rent at the date of eviction does not, in the Commissioners' opinion, afford any reason why they should not deal with the case.
§ MR. CHARLES CRAIGCan the right hon. Gentleman say if an evicted tenant who is eight years in arrear with his rent can be considered eligible for reinstatement?
§ MR. BIRRELLIt is a matter entirely for the discretion of the Estates Commissioners.
§ AN HON. MEMBER: How can there-be rack-renting when there is a Land Court?