HC Deb 12 July 1909 vol 7 cc1651-3
Mr. HOGAN

asked the maximum amount which an individual is allowed to purchase under the Land Acts; whether Henry Davis Kenny purchased under the Land Acts, in July, 1386, 204 acres at Kilcunahinmore, on the French estate, county Tipperary; in August, 1890, 211 acres at Ballingarry, county Tipperary; in May, 1900, 286 acres at Cullagh, county Tipperary; in June, 1906, 543 acres at Rossdarragh and Cappalinuan, Queen's County; and a further property at Ros-donagh, Queen's County; and the acreage and the money paid for these properties purchased by Henry Davis Kenny under the Land Acts?

Mr. BIRRELL

Under section 1 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, the maximum advance which can be made under the Land Purchase Acts to any purchasing tenant is £7,000, but there is no limitation on the amount of land which one person may buy. I understand that there are two persons of the name of H. Davis Kenny, one has obtained advances to the amount of £4,945. and the other to the amount of £5,000. The statutory limit has not been exceeded in either case.

Mr. HOGAN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that these large graziers held under the 11 months' system, and the landlord was so satisfied to sell the property that he made them yearly tenants and got some additional thousands of pounds in consequence?

Mr. BIRRELL

I believe that in all these cases the purchasing tenants did advance sums on their own account in addition to the amount advanced under the Land Purchase Act, 1903.

Mr. HOGAN

Cannot the right hon. Gentleman do something to stop these proceedings whereby a few men take up all the grazing land in the country?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have no particular jurisdiction in the matter. The advances are obtained from the Estates Commissioners and are within the limits laid down by the Act.

Mr. HOGAN

What were the names of the Commissioners who allowed these men to get all this money?

Mr. REDDY

If I give him the names of the persons who entered into these fraudulent transactions will the right hon. Gentleman order the Estates Commissioners to inquire further into the matter?

Mr. BIRRELL

So far as I know, none of these transactions were of a fraudulent character.