§ Mr. MULDOONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners received an application from Myles Byrne, son of Laurence Byrne, an evicted tenant, for reinstatement on his father's holding on the estate of the Earl of Meath, in county Wicklow; and, if so, whether he can say why it was refused, as it was in order and the case was a bonâ fide case of eviction?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that Byrne's application was not received within the time prescribed by the Evicted Tenants Act, and cannot therefore be dealt with under that Act. The holding formerly occupied by Byrne's father has been acquired by the present occupier under the Land Purchase Acts, and the Commissioners cannot interfere in the matter.
§ Captain DONELANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there are still in county Wicklow over twenty evicted tenants noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted lands; can he state what progress was made in the work of restoration during the year 1910–11, and have any evicted tenants been restored since 31st March last; and what is the explanation of the delay?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe number of applications from persons in county Wicklow seeking reinstatement as evicted tenants or their representatives provisionally noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land is now eleven. During the year ended the 31st March, 1911, the Estates Commissioners were in negotiation 828 for the acquisition of nearly a thousand acres of untenanted land in county Wicklow on part of which they proposed to provide holdings for evicted tenants. Since the 31st March last thirteen evicted tenants have been provided with holdings by the Commissioners on lands acquired by them.