§ 87. Mr. BOLANDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he has now made inquiries into the question of turbary on the Rowland-Blennerhassett estate, near Beaufort; what is the nature of the power possessed by the Estates Commissioners over the turbary; and whether steps will be taken to secure to the tenants who purchased under the Ashbourne Act a fair share of this turbary, in accordance with the promise made at the time of the sale by the vendor's representative?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)A s I have already informed the hon. Member, the Estates Commissioners have no knowledge of any promises such as those referred to and have no power to interfere in the matter. Their powers are limited to estates sold under the Land Acts of 1903 and 1909, and the holdings in question were sold over twenty years ago under the Act of 1885. As regards the holdings, which are the subject of the present proceedings before the Commissioners under the Acts of 1903 and 1909, the Commissioners will see that the tenants are provided with turbary.
§ 88. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will state the cause of the delay in granting to Timothy Sullivan of Granardkille, a purchasing tenant on the Hamilton estate, a sum of money promised him by inspectors of the Estates Commissioners for the purpose of building a proper dwelling-house and out-offices on his farm; and whether, in view of the fact that the sale is now four or five years completed, will the loan promised be advanced to enable him to make the farm economic?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI would refer the hon. Member to my reply to his similar question on the 29th July, to which I have nothing to add.
§ 89. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state the reason for delaying the vesting of the M'Cormick estate, at Cooldoney, in the tenants who signed their agreements five years ago; whether he is aware that the landlord is willing to take stock in order to complete the sale; and will he represent to the Estates Commissioners the desirability of closing with the offer and vesting the property forthwith in the tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate has not yet been reached in order of priority on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), and, having regard to the claims of other estates, the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached. The vendor did not make application within the prescribed time for payment in Land Stock.