§ Mr. FLAVINasked the Chief Secretary whether he could state when the agreements signed by the tenants to purchase the Foster Fitzgerald estate, near New-towndillon, North Kerry, were lodged with the Estates Commissioners; whether the agent, Mr. J. D. Crosbie, promised the tenants whose lands were being flooded that he would immediately make up the 196 river banks and lay aside a fund for the maintenance of the same; and whether, before the estate was vested in the tenants, the Estates Commissioners would have an inspection of the holdings made so as to safeguard the interests of the tenants.
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am informed by the Estates Commissioners that the purchase agreements for the sale of this estate were lodged on various dates from September, 1907, to July, 1908. The purchase agreements of the tenants who would be affected by the non-maintenance of the river embankment contain a clause to the effect that the embankment on the holding, heretofore jointly maintained by the vendor and purchaser, shall be put into such repair as the Land Commission shall require, and that such sum as the Land Commission shall think fit shall be retained out of the purchase money for its future maintenance. When the estate is being dealt with in order of priority the matter will be fully considered by the Commissioners.
§ Mr. FLAVINWill the money retained by the Land Commission be held by them in trust, or will it be given to local trustees for the upkeep of the embankment?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt will probably be given to local trustees.