§ Mr. CONDONasked what are the names of the tenants of the four holdings in respect of which the advances applied for have not been sanctioned on the estate of the Earl of Clonmel, county Tipperary; whether a tenant, named Philip Landy, obtained a holding in Curraghadobbin, in which a new tenancy was created for him since 1901; whether the Estates Commissioners have sanctioned the advance applied for in respect of it; and whether, before doing so, they considered the fact that this tenant has other holdings and the wants of the small holders in the locality?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe names of the tenants on the estate referred to whose applications for advances have been refused by the Estates Commissioners are Margaret Sullivan, Count De La Poer, M. C. O'Meara, and W. P. Hanly. The Commissioners sanctioned the advance of £227 applied for in Philip Landy's agreement to purchase his holding at Curraghdobbin, and the holding has been vested in him. The tenancy in this case was not created since 1901. The reply to the last paragraph of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Sir Henry Grattan Bellew, of Mount Bellew, county Galway, is now prepared to include in the sale of his estate the grazing lands held by Mr. O'Rourke; and whether he will direct the Estates Commissioners to acquire it for the enlargement of uneconomic holdings upon the estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLMr. O'Rourke is tenant of the lands referred to, and the Estates Commissioners have no power to distribute them so long as they are so held.
§ Mr. SCANLANasked the Chief Secretary if he can state upon what grounds the Estates Commissioners refused to provide a holding on the Verschoyle estate, near Ballina, for Mrs. Rose M'Nulty, who was evicted from this estate in June, 1890; and whether the Commissioners will reconsider the matter with the view of providing a farm for Mrs. M'Nulty?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have nothing to add to the reply to a similar question asked by the hon. Member on the 24th November last.
§ Mr. SCANLANMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is able to give any explanation as to why the Estates Commissioners refused to provide a holding on the Verschoyle estate? That is a point which was not considered in the previous reply to which the right hon. Gentleman refers.
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe application of this person for reinstatement was in respect of land which was already in the occupation of other tenants, but if other land is obtained in the neighbourhood her case will be inquired into.
§ Mr. SCANLANasked the Chief Secretary whether the farm known as Seaford, situated at Carrowbricken, in the parish of Skreen, barony of Tireragh, county Sligo, and owned by Mrs. Crawford and 592 others, had been offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners and the Congested Districts Board; and which of these bodies will deal with the purchase negotiations, and when is the purchase likely to be completed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe estates of Susan Crawford and others, county Sligo, is pending before the Estates Commissioners for sale to the tenants direct under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The lands of Carrowbricken are not included in the proceedings pending before the Estates Commissioners. They have not been offered to the Congested Districts Board, who are willing to negotiate for the purchase. The Board will ask the owners if they are willing to sell.
§ Mr. BOLANDasked whether, in connection with the negotiations now on foot for the purchase of holdings in Valentia Island, regard will be had to the claim for reinstatement put forward by Mrs. O'Connor, East Cooil, who was evicted from her holding?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have received an application from Mrs. O'Connor for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by her late husband on the estate of the Knight of Kerry. The greater portion of the holding was subsequently taken by her father-in-law, and is at present in the possession of his son; and the Commissioners, after inquiry and consideration, decided to take no action as regards Mrs. O'Connor's application.