HC Deb 15 May 1912 vol 38 cc1142-3
Mr. VINCENT KENNEDY

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, contrary to the wishes of the people of county Cavan, expressed by resolution of the Cavan County Council, the Estates Commissioners planted James M'Cullagh on the lands of Kilmore, in county Cavan, and replied to the resolution of the Cavan County Council that they had no desire or intention to alter their decision of doing so, although the lands of Kilmore were acquired for the purpose of reinstating evicted tenants; is James M'Cullagh an evicted tenant; and is he aware that there are twelve evicted tenants in the vicinity already recommended for reinstatement by the Estates Commissioners, but who have not yet been reinstated; and, in view of the dissatisfaction and disturbance occasioned in the district, will he take any action in the matter?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Estates Commissioners received the resolution referred to relative to the allotment of portion of the lands of Kilmore, and in reply stated that the lands had been allotted in the exercise of the discretion vested in them, and that they had no power to vary the arrange- ments which had been made. The lands were not acquired under the Evicted Tenants Act, but were utilised by the Commissioners for the purposes of facilitating the reinstatement of evicted tenants. One of the farms was allotted by them to M'Cullagh in consideration of his surrendering two farms in the same county, one of which was an evicted farm, and it has been given to the evicted tenant, and the second holding has been given to another county Cavan evicted tenant. The Commissioners experience great difficulty in obtaining untenanted land which persons desirous of surrendering evicted holdings are willing to accept, and if such persons are to be intimidated in the occupation of the new farms granted to them, it will be impossible for the Commissioners to obtain the surrender of evicted holdings, and will make it increasingly difficult to carry out the provisions of the Acts relating to the reinstatement of evicted tenants.

Mr. VINCENT KENNEDY

Is this man an evicted tenant? Why did the officials act in violation of the people's wishes by placing this planter on the land?

Mr. BIRRELL

The whole thing is done with the object of obtaining farms for evicted tenants, and nothing more.

Mr. MOORE

Is this man receiving protection from the Government at present?

Mr. BIRRELL

I do not know.

Mr. MOORE

Were not all the twelve prosecutions instituted by the Government during the last fortnight against Nationalists for intimidation dismissed by Nationalist benches of magistrates? If so, what action does the Government propose to take?

Mr. BIRRELL

They will take what action is open to them in the matter.