HC Deb 11 May 1911 vol 25 cc1356-7
Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

asked if the right hon. Gentleman could say whether, having regard to the promise repeatedly made by the Estates Commissioners to reinstate Mrs. O'Shaughnessy and Mrs. Hayes in the farms at Aughanish Island, in the county of Limerick, from which they were evicted considerably over twenty years ago by Edward Lane Joynt, he would state what is the cause of delay in their being reinstated and when may their reinstatement take place?

Mr. BIRRELL

These lands have not yet been acquired by the Estates Commissioners, who have not been able to come to an agreement with the owner as regards the upkeep of the embankment which protects the estate against injury from floods in the Shannon and its tributaries Under the leases under which the former tenants held the lands they were liable to maintain the embankment, and the Commissioners understand that the owner is in communication with the tenants as to its future maintenance.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

Does that mean that these evicted tenants who have been out of their holdings for considerably over twenty years are to have their reinstatement postponed indefinitely?

Mr. BIRRELL

No, Sir; I think not. The arrangement for the maintenance of the banks is a matter of imperative necessity.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

Is it not absolutely necessary that a certain proportion of the purchase money should be kept from the landlord to see that the banks are properly kept up?

Mr. BIRRELL

I have already said that under the lease that obligation is upon the tenants and therefore I do not know that the landlord can be made to assume it while the negotiations are going on.

Captain CRAIG

Can the right hon. Gentleman state why Mrs. O'Shaughnessy was ejected from her farm twenty years' ago?

Mr. BIRRELL

No, I could not say.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

I want to ask the Chief Secretary to communicate with the Estates Commissioners and tell them that if they do not bring about a settlement of this case I will bring about a settlement very quickly.