§ Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that Major D. S. Browne owns a congested estate at Breaghy, Castlebar, county Mayo, on which there is a tract, about 400 acres, of untenanted land; that the tenants requested the Congested Districts Board to purchase this estate; can he state whether the Board has made a final offer to Major Browne for the estate; and, if not, when they intend to do so; and, if Major drowne refuses such offer, will the Board take prompt steps to acquire the property under the compulsory clauses of the Land Act of 1909?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Congested Districts Board have been in communication with the owner of the estate referred to, but they have not been furnished with detailed particulars of the property. Applications have been received from the tenants asking the Board to purchase the 374 property. The maps and other documents necessary to enable the Board to inspect the property with a view to considering whether they would make an offer have not been furnished. The Board are not at present prepared to say what action they would take if an offer were made by them and refused by owner.
§ Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Mr. Walter Joyce has a small estate in Breaghy parish, near Castlebar, county Mayo, upon which there are about 400 acres of untenanted lands; that the Estates Commissioners some years ago took proceedings to acquire the untenanted lands for the relief of congestion; that the landlord, in successfully resisting such proceedings, swore that he required the untenanted lands for distribution amongst his own congested tenants; has the landlord since refused to sell his estate to the Congested Districts Board; is he aware that he has refused to distribute the untenanted lands amongst his congested tenants, and has recently proceeded against his tenants and obtained decrees against them for rents; and, having regard to Mr. Joyce's sworn admission that the estate is congested and his promise to devote his untenanted lands to the relief of the congestion, can he state what steps the Board purpose taking in regard to this property?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners instituted proceedings in 1908 for the compulsory acquisition of 132 acres of untenanted land on the estate referred to, not for the relief of congestion, but for the purposes of the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907. The owner filed objections, and at their hearing stated that the acquisition of these lands would prevent the estate being sold, as there would not be sufficient land available to enlarge small holdings. The Commissioners decided not to acquire the lands for the purposes stated. The owner has stated that he is unwilling to negotiate for a sale to the Congested Districts Board except on a cash basis. The Board have no information that he has refused to distribute the untenanted lands, or as to the legal proceedings mentioned. They have not decided whether they will take any steps to acquire this property under their compulsory powers.