§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked whether any applications for an advance have been lodged by Mr. James W. Bond, D.L., as regards the lands of Coolorty, Tully, and Ashuagh; whether the farm of Mr. Henry McGiveny, of Ashuagh has been included in this application; whether I he landlord has declined to allow Mr. McGiveny's name to be included; and whether, before passing this estate for sale, the Commissioners will direct full inquiry to be made by their inspectors into all the facts regarding the refusal to allow this tenant to purchase?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners understand that the tenants have concluded negotiations with the owner to purchase their holdings under the Land Purchase Acts, but formal proceedings have not yet been instituted. When the estate is being dealt with in order of priority due inquiry will be made as regards the matter referred to in the question.
§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked whether any further progress has been made in vesting in the tenants on the property of Mr. James W. Bond the lands of Rhyine, Clonnel, Drumhaughly, Farragh, etc.; and whether, as this portion of Mr. Bond's estate includes a large tract of un-tenanted land which is to be divided amongst these purchasers, any inspector has yet been sent or is about being sent to adjust the matter to the satisfaction of the claimants on the property?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that this estate will be reached in order of priority for inspection at an early date, and will be dealt with as soon as possible.
§ Mr. DELANYasked what amount of advance was made to Mr. Thomas Walpole, J.P., Mondritt, Queen's County, late Sub-Commissioner, under the Act of 1903, for the purchase of an estate of which he was part owner; can he say whether the same Mr. Walpole has applied for an advance to purchase a farm which he holds on the Coote estate, in the Abbeyleix union; and, if so, what is the amount applied for?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are unable from the particulars given to identify the estate of which Mr. Walpole is stated to have been part owner. He has signed an agreement for the purchase of his holding on the estate of Sir A. C. P. Coote, Queen's County, and the amount of advance applied for is £2,153. The estate has not yet been reached in order of priority.
§ Mr. DELANYasked whether the attention of the Estates Commissioners has been called to the dissatisfaction existing in the locality regarding the distribution of the Charleville Estate, situated at Kyle, Queen's County; whether five tenants residing two miles distant have received 100 acres between them, and whether he is aware that thirty-six out of a total of fifty-four uneconomic holdings on the Coote Estate, at Kyle, adjacent to the Charleville property, remain unenlarged; and can he say what steps the Estates Commissioners propose taking to provide those occupiers of small mountain holdings with additional land?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt is not possible for the Estates Commissioners to meet entirely the wishes of applicants for allotments on un-tenanted land acquired by them as the number of applicants is as a rule largely in excess of the number to whom allotments can be made.
§ Mr. RUPERT GWYNNEOn a point of Order—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member cannot raise a point of Order while an. answer is being given.
§ Mr. BIRRELLOn the White Estate at Charleville the Commissioners acquired 411 acres of untenanted land which has been divided into twenty-six allotments, twenty of which have been given to tenants on the Coote Estate. The question of enlarging other holdings on this estate will be considered in the allotment of such untenanted land as the Commissioners acquire in the neighbourhood.