§ MR. J. MURPHYI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland if he can ascertain from the Congested Districts Board the exact cause why they have failed to make any effort to purchase the congested portions of Lord Kenmare's estate, county Kerry, whereas they are at present engaged in negotiating for the purchase of Lord Ventry's estate in the same county, though Lord Kenmare's estate was first offered to them.
§ MR. BIRRELLThe terms on which the congested portion of Lord Kenmare's estate was offered to the Congested Districts Board were not such as they could have accepted, even had money been available for the purchase. Until pending legislation has been passed, the state of the Board's funds will not permit of their purchasing any estates beyond those for which they are already in negotiation. They have been in negotiation for the Ventry estate for the past twelve months.
§ MR. BELLOCIs that the main cause or the only cause just now?
§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Cork)The main cause is the absence of money.
§ MR. BIRRELLWith regard to the Kenmare estate I may say that the terms under which it was suggested that the tenants should be put into possession of the holdings were such that the Board could not possibly accept them.
§ MR. KILBRIDE (Kildare, S.)Is not the absence of money due largely to the enormous inflation of prices?
§ [No Answer was returned.]
§ MR. J. MURPHYinquired whether the reason the Congested Districts Board did not purchase was not simply because the vendors wanted to fix the prices themselves?
§ MR. BIRRELLI have given the one reason for their action, and I have nothing to add.
§ MR. J. MURPHYMy reason is the correct one.