§ 11. Mr. FARRELLasked if the Chief Secretary will explain the principle on which two untenanted farms on the estate of Colonel Gregg at Newtowncashel, county Longford, one farm at Loughfarm and the other at Culnagore, have been given by the Estate Commissioners, one to a bailiff who already holds a farm of thirty-five acres and the other to the landlord's brother, whilst small farmers in the vicinity and on the same property have only one and two acres of arable land to live on; what report the Commissioner's inspector, Mr. Blackhall, made in the case; and will another inspection be held before the transaction is closed?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Member presumably refers to the estate of Mrs. E. B. Roberts, county Longford, which is the subject of proceedings for sale to them 1663 under Section 6 of the Irish Land Act. 1903, and which includes some thirty acres of untenanted land on the townlands referred to. No arrangements have been made for the disposal of any land on this estate, which has not yet been acquired by the Estates Commissioners. The inspector's reports are confidential documents.
§ 15. Mr. O'DOWDasked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet taken over the Coonela estate, situate in the division of Ballinakill, union of Sligo, trustee A. Gilmor, J. P., Ballymote, county Sligo, which estate was inspected in June last, and is wanted for the relief of congestion in the district?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board hope to make an offer for purchase of this estate very shortly.
§ 16. Mr. O'DOWDasked whether the Congested Districts Board are prepared to take over the grass farm of Lurgan, Ballinakill division, Sligo union, at present in the occupation of the landlord, A. Sim, Esq., J.P., Collooney, who lives five miles away?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe lands referred to have not been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board.
§ 18. Mr. BOLANDasked what is the present position as regards the negotiations for the purchase of the Trinity College estates in Iveragh?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have decided to make an offer for the purchase of the estate referred to, and it will be issued as soon as practicable.
§ 19. Mr. FFRENCHasked whether it is possible to facilitate land purchase by giving tenants who have a right to get fair rents fixed the power of serving an originating notice to redeem the rent at a fair price which might be fixed by the Land Commission in case landlord and tenant cannot agree, or by payment to the landlord, if not in cash, in three per cent, stock at its market value of the day; and, if so, will the suggestion contained in the question receive consideration in any scheme to expedite land purchase that may be introduced in the near future?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI see great difficulty in carrying out the suggestion contained in the question, but it will not be lost sight of.
§ 22. Mr. DORISasked whether Mr. Mark Foy has informed the Congested Districts Board that he is willing to sell through the Board his estate situated at Cloon-tubrid, Turlough, county Mayo; has he lodged maps of the estate with the Board; and has the Board intimated that they will not purchase the estate if there are arrears of rent due by the tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection to be made of this estate with a view to a sale through the Congested Districts Board have just been lodged. The Board have made no such communication as that indicated in reference to the arrears of rent.
§ 30 and 31. Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked (1) whether the Chief Secretary is aware that the tenants'' holdings on the Mahony estate at Mount Collins, in the county of Limerick, are intermixed, and that before the sale of the estate under the Land Act, 1903, is completed the Estates Commissioners consider it necessary to have a rearrangement of the holdings so that each tenant may have his portion in one lot; whether, owing to the uncertainty of their present tenure the tenants are at a disadvantage as they do not know their future holdings; and whether, having regard to the fact that it is a considerable number of years since the Estates Commissioners acquired this estate, he will take steps to see that they carry out whatever improvements they consider necessary to make the holdings economic, so that they may acquire possession of them without further delay; and (2) if the right hon. Gentleman can say when the Estates Commissioners agreed with the landlord of the Mahony estate at Mount Collins, county Limerick, for its purchase by them; what was the date when they sent their inspector to report on the condition of the estate as to whether or no it was congested within the meaning of the Irish Land Act and what improvements were necessary before the completion of the sale of the estate; what was the date of the inspector's report; whether the Estates Commissioners intend to take steps to put it into operation wholly or partly; and, if so, when will they begin?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners offer to purchase this estate, which was the subject of proceedings in the Land Judge's Court, was accepted by the Land Judge in October, 1908. The lands have been visited on a number of occasions by their inspector, as considerable difficulty was experienced in getting the tenants to consent to a scheme of rearrangement. The Commissioners were also desirous to acquire some additional land to facilitate rearrangement, but they have been unable to do so, and the question of vesting the lands already acquired will be considered by the Commissioners at an early date.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYIs it not the fact that the vendor of the land has agreed with the Commissioners to sell a portion of this untenanted land in the neighbourhood for the purpose of enlarging these uneconomic holdings, and is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the landlord of this untenanted land says the Estates Commissioners are to blame for not completing the purchase? May I ask whether it is fair that these, poor tenants of these small uneconomic holdings should be kept much longer in this uncertain condition?
§ Mr. BIRRELLNo; I am most anxious that this matter should be dealt with at the earliest possible date, and I will communicate with the Estates Commissioners.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman to satisfy these tenants, who are writing to me every day about the matter, by sending an inspector before Christmas to sooth them, and to say that the sale will be completed without much further delay.
§ Mr. BIRRELLI will do what I can in that direction.