§ MR. JOHN O'DONNELLTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the estate of Sir Compton Domville, situate in the parish of Aughamore, Claremorris Union, was offered to the Congested Districts Board so far back as November of last year, but that no monetary offer has been made by that body for it, although it is eminently suitable for the enlargement of holdings, having within its confines about 500 acres of grazing lands; whether he is aware that there is a feeling of unrest in the locality owing to the want of information on the subject; and whether any effort will be made by the Board to acquire that estate with a view to the enlargement of the holdings of the ninety tenants, nearly all of whom are in a very much congested condition; and, if not, whether he will ask the Estates Commissioners to take the necessary steps towards purchasing the estates and thereby preventing any further unrest.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) The estate in question was brought under the notice of the Congested Districts Board, but they were obliged to defer consideration of the question of purchasing it owing to want of funds for improvement purposes. The estate has not been offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners, but if it should be offered they would make inquiries with regard to it. Otherwise they could take no action in the matter.