HC Deb 12 July 1909 vol 7 c1650
Mr. JOHN MURPHY

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can ascertain from the Estates Commissioners the amount of the purchase money of the untenanted land at Faha, on the Morrogh Bernard estate, county Kerry, which the Commissioners propose to be allowed to be sold to a person who holds a large ranch at present in the Argentine Republic; and if he can induce the Commissioners to make any better use of public money or better provision for evicted tenants in Kerry than the sanction of such a sale?

Mr. BIRRELL

The hon. Member has already been informed, in reply to a question asked by him on 15th March last, that the owner is repurchasing these lands in accordance with the provisions of section 3 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. The price has not yet been fixed by the Commissioners.

Mr. MURPHY

Does the answer mean that the Estate Commissioners propose to sell a ranch in the county of Kerry to another rancher in the Argentine Republic?

Mr. BIRRELL

No. I did not refer to him as a rancher in the Argentine Republic, but as the owner of the land in question. He has exercised the rights conferred upon him, or, at all events, he has taken the opportunity offered him of purchasing this land under section 3 of the Act.