§ Mr. O'DOWDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps, if any, the Congested Districts Board have taken to acquire by purchase the estate of Mr. J. G. Reynolds, of Ballymote, county Sligo, which is situate in the townland of Doonally, electoral divisions of Ballinakill and union of Sligo?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The Congested Districts Board are in communication with the owner with a view to the purchase of the estate referred to, but they are not at present in a position to make any farther statement in. the matter.
§ Mr. FFRENCHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether any correspondence has taken place between the Estates Commissioners and the Master of the Rolls re the purchase by the former of the Boyd estate, county Wexford, consisting of the townlands of Scotsland, Duncormack, and Weneytown, with a view to their subdivision amongst uneconomic holdings in the district; and, if not, whether lie will request the Commissioners to undertake? these negotiations forthwith?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Esates Commissioners are informed by the solicitors for the owner that the Master of the Rolls has recently made an Order giving permission for the institution of formal proceedings for the sale of this estate to the Commissioners.
§ Mr. O'DOWDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the estate of Castleneyno, owned by Mr. Stack (agents, Messrs. J. D. Robinson, Sligo), and situate in the townland of Bally-sumaghan, electoral division of Ballinakill and union of Sligo, has yet been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe estate referred to has been offered for sale through the Congested Districts Board, and they hope to consider the question of purchasing it at an early date.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has received a resolution from the county Kerry Evicted Tenants' Association complaining of the action of the Estates Commssioners in their treatment of William O'Neill, evicted tenant, Clashedmond, Ballyseedy, Tralee; and will the Commissioners explain how it is that on their first inspection they declared him a suitable person under the Evicted Tenants Act, and when pressed to do something they decide to take no action in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI have not received the resolution referred to. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 5th December last.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman how it is that this man, having been declared a suitable person on the first inspection, has not been reinstated?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI think if the hon. Member will refer to the answer given on 5th December last he will discover some reason.