§ Mr. KILBRIDEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he can say if the Estates Commissioners promised to give Patrick O'Beirne, of Walterstown, Kildare, a favourable consideration to his claim for reinstatement in October, 1907; whether on that occasion he was given to understand by Mr. Wilson that his name was one of the first on the list of those who 900 were to receive parcels of land; whether, on 4th March last, he again interviewed Mr. Wilson, with the result he was promised that the Commissioners would that very day communicate with Williams, the grabber of Gurteen farm; what was the result of this communication; did Williams refuse to accept compensation; whether he can say what size allotment Mr. O'Beirne was subsequently offered on the lands at Ballyshannon; what was to be the annuity; whether he is aware that almost all of this Ballyshannon land is a swampy bog out of which it would be impossible to make a living; and whether, under all the circumstances of the case, O'Beirne's claim will be again taken into favourable consideration?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that there is no record of a promise of favourable consideration having been made to this applicant, or of his having been told that the Commissioners would communicate with the present occupier of his former holding. He was offered in March last a farm of 53 acres at Ballyshannon, subject to an annuity of £24 17s. 4d., together with a free grant of £100. This offer he refused, and his application has been dismissed. The Commissioners have already provided his brother with a farm.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that almost all this Ballyshannon land is swampy bog?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI cannot say as to the quality of the land.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether Michael Merrin, Kildoon, Kildare, who was evicted in 1885, has applied to the Estates Commissioners for reinstatement, and with what result; whether he is aware that Merrin's farm, which was situated at Walkerstown Lower, electoral division of Nurney, Athy Poor Law Union, contained 7½ acres I.P.M., at a rent of £6, valuation £2, which was reduced in the Land Court to £4 14s.; and whether Merrin will be restored to his former holding under economic conditions, or whether he will get an allotment in the county?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that Merrin's application was not received within the time prescribed by the Evicted Tenants Act, and has not been inquired into.