§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland how many tenants on the townlands of Ballycarbery, Kimego, and Killelan, on Sir Morgan O'Connell's estate, have signed purchase agreements; have the Estates Commissioners received notification from any to withdraw from purchase, and, if so, from how many; and whether the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board will now intervene on behalf of the tenants in view of the coercive method adopted against them?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)This estate is being sold direct by the landlord to the tenants. Nine agreements for the purchase by the tenants of their holdings on the townlands referred to have been lodged with the Estates Commissioners. Of these tenants three have since stated that they wish to withdraw from their agreements. The Commissioners are not aware that coercive methods were adopted against the tenants, but they will be prepared to 373 consider any representations on the subject when the estate is being dealt with.
§ Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary whether coercive methods have been resorted to in order to compel the tenants on the townlands of Ballycarbery, Kimego, and Killelan, on the estate of Sir Morgan O'Connell, near Caherciveen, to purchase their holdings at prices which they consider they could not pay and hereafter meet their obligations to the State; whether the extent of Mr. Green's inspection was to pass along and take a bird's-eye view of the farms, only calling at the houses and advising the tenants to purchase at the prices offered by the landlord; whether it is part of the duty of government inspectors to go around the country canvassing and soliciting sales for a landlord; and whether the tenants will be informed what prices have been placed on their farms by this inspector?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am not aware of the coercive methods referred to by the hon. Member, nor am I aware of any foundation for the allegations against the Estates Commissioners' inspector. As I have already informed the hon. Member, the Commissioners have communicated to the owner the sums which they are prepared to advance on the outstanding holdings, and have asked for purchase agreements to be lodged in respect of such holdings. They have no objection to communicate these sums to the tenants concerned, but they understand that they have already been communicated to the tenants by the solicitor having carriage of the sale.
§ Mr. BOLANDasked whether the Congested Districts Board has received any, and, if so, what, answer from the owner or agent of the F. S. Williams estate, Mastergeehy, county Kerry; and whether, in view of the fact that the estate is a small one and only comprises fourteen tenants, the average valuation of each holding being under £7, prompt steps will be taken to complete the purchase negotiations?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo definite reply has yet been received from the owner in reference to this estate. A further communication is being sent to him.
§ Mr. BOLANDasked what has been the result of the negotiations conducted by the Congested Districts Board for the purchase of the estate of Sir Morgan O'Connell at Mastergeehy, county Kerry; 374 and whether, in view of the urgency of the case, special steps will be taken to complete the purchase of the estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe estate referred to has not up to the present been offered for sale through the Board. The Board are in correspondence with the owner.