§ Mr. O'MALLEYasked the Chief Secretary if he will state whether negotiations are proceeding for the purchase by the Congested Districts Board of the Berridge estate, Connemara; whether there are negotiations for the purchase of other estates in Connemara; if so, what estates; if he will state what is the cause of the delay in the building of houses, etc., in Inishbofin, an island purchased several years ago by the Congested Districts Board; if he is aware that discontent prevails throughout Connemara at the inordinate delay in dealing with the purchase of estates; and if he will bring pressure to bear on the Board to expedite the working of the Land Act of 1909 in the congested districts?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are negotiating for the purchase of the Berridge and many other estates in Connemara, but at this stage of the proceedings it is not considered desirable to state their names. The Board have completed their building operations and improvements in Inishbofin Island, and no further expenditure will be made there. There has been no avoidable delay in dealing with estates by the Board, who are doing all in their power to facilitate land purchase in Connemara.