Mr. CHARLES MacVEIGHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the number of evicted tenants that have been restored to their farms or provided with new ones under the Act of 1907; and whether the Estates Commissioners have purchased or have now on hand any untenanted land in county Doegal, and, if so, how much and where, to provide farms for those still without holdings?
§ Mr. CHERRYTwo hundred and four evicted tenants or representatives of evicted tenants have been provided for by the Estates Commissioners on the lands acquired under the provisions of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907. Proceedings for the acquisition of some 325 acres of untenanted land in the county Donegal are at present pending under that Act.
§ Mr. J. DEVLINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that it is impossible to get evicted tenants in Ulster reinstated? Why do not the Estates Commissioners give some consideration to the claims of Ulster evicted tenants?
§ Mr. CHERRYI never heard of any difference between Ulster and anywhere else. There are very few in Ulster, as a matter of fact.
§ Mr. DEVLINAs a matter of fact, I know of dozens.
Mr. CHARLES MacVEIGHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he 560 can say what steps, if any, have been taken by the Estates Commissioners to restore Andrew Conaghan to his farm in Blairstown, on the Bustard estate, near Castle-fin, East Donegal, from which he was evicted, or to provide him with a new holding?
§ Mr. CHERRYThe Estates Commissioners have inquired into and considered Andrew Conaghan's application for reinstatement in a holding on the Bustard estate, and have decided not to take any action in the matter.
§ Mr. WILLIAM ABRAHAMasked whether the Estates Commissioners are in negotiation for the purchase of 150 acres of untenanted land on the estate of Henry Cole Bowen, Farahy, Kildorrery, county Cork; and, if not, whether the Commissioners would consider the desirability of acquiring the land in question to provide for the needs of evicted tenants and others under the provisions of the Land Purchase Act of 1903?
§ Mr. CHERRYThe reply to the first part of the question is in the negative. The owner has not instituted proceedings for the sale of the lands referred to under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the Estates Commissioners have no power to acquire lands compulsorily under that Act.