§ MR. SHEEHAN (Cork County, Mid.)I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether his attention has been drawn to a resolution adopted at a recent meeting of the Cork Evicted Tenants' Association, setting forth that the evicted tenants observed with deep concern and dismay that the Estates Commissioners decline to take any steps whatever towards the reinstatement of the tenants evicted since 1903, unless and until the estates from which they were evicted come to be dealt with before them; that the evicted tenants consider this a great hardship, and believe that the grievance is one which should be considered by Parliament in connection with the forthcoming Land Bill; whether he will state what are the intentions of the Government in regard to the position of this special class of evicted tenants; and whether it is intended to legislate on their behalf.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have received a copy of the resolution referred to. The Evicted Tenants Act does not apply to tenants evicted subsequent to the passing of the Irish Land Act, 1903. Such cases are inquired into when the estate is being dealt with under the Act of 1903. It is not intended to introduce further legislation with respect to evicted tenants.
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the case of the 2,000 or 3,000 evicted tenants whose applications have been rejected without any reason given or without hearing? Cannot he give these poor people an appeal to the County Court Judge?
§ MR. BIRRELLI am ready to consider any cases that may be urgent, but I do not think such cases can be included in the forthcoming measure.