§ Mr. CONOR O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will say whether the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board propose to open negotiations for the purchase of the property of Mr. Austin Freely, situate at Course, Ballyhaunis, county Mayo, with the object of enlarging and improving the holdings on the property?
§ Mr. CHERRYIf the owner institutes proceedings before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of this estate it will be dealt with in order of priority, but up to the present no such proceedings have been instituted, nor has the property been offered to the Congested Districts Board. That Board are not in a position to open negotiations for the purchase of any further estates owing to the want of funds for effecting improvements.
§ Mr. CONOR O'KELLYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Congested Districts Board have opened negotiations with Mr. Michael Delaney, of Ballyhaunis, for the purchase of the Carrownedin farm, in the county of Mayo, for the purpose of enlarging the very small holdings in the district in which the Carrownedin farm is situate?
§ Mr. CHERRYThe farm in question has not been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board by Mr. Delany.
§ Mr. CONOR O'KELLYWill the right hon. Gentleman represent to the Estates Commissioners the desirability of approaching this gentleman with the object of purchasing the property, seeing that the holdings in the neighbourhood are steeped in congestion?
§ Mr. CHERRYI will mention the matter. The hon. Gentleman knows that the Estates Commissioners have no power at present to make an offer themselves. They can only purchase if an owner is willing to sell.
§ Mr. CONOR O'KELLYI would suggest that in order to hasten the matter the Congested Districts Board ought to be asked to approach him.
§ Mr. CHERRYOf course, the hon. Gentleman is aware that under the Act as it stands there is no money to improve the lands. All depends on the passing of the Bill which is now before Parliament.