§ 20. Mr. DUFFYasked the Chief Secretary whether he will state what steps have been taken by the Congested Districts Board to prosecute the appeal in regard to the judgment delivered in the Clanricarde estate; is he aware that a considerable number of evicted tenants on this estate, evicted under the Plan of Campaign, are still on the roadside; and can any hope be held out of restoring them to their former holdings or providing them with other holdings in the future?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have taken steps to have the appeal heard at the earliest possible date next term. Sixty-two of the evicted tenants have been provided with new holdings by the Estates Commissioners and the names of forty-four others have been provisionally noted for consideration in the distribution of such additional untenanted land as they may acquire for distribution on the estates.
§ Mr. BIRRELLNovember.
§ Mr. DUFFY:Will the trial come on in November?
§ Mr. BIRRELLCertainly.
§ 24. Mr. O'SULLIVANasked what steps have been taken by the Estates Commissioners on the application of P. J. O'Leary, Gortnagoum, Kenmare estate, county Kerry, who was evicted from his holding thirteen years ago; whether they will refuse to sanction the sale to Denis Cahill, who has been permitted to sign a purchase agreement for the farm from which Mr. O'Leary was evicted; and, if the landlord refuses to reinstate Mr. O'Leary, whether they will refuse to pay the purchase money till his case is dealt with?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe holding formerly occupied by P. J. O'Leary is in the possession of his brother-in-law, who has, as tenant, signed an agreement to purchase the holding in connection with the sale of this estate under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Estates Commissioners are not prepared to take any action in the matter of O'Leary's application for reinstatement. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ 25. Mr. O'SULLIVANasked whether an inspector from the Estates Commissioners visited Kilmurry, Castleisland, county Kerry, for the purpose of taking steps to arrange for the reinstatement of Mr. Walsh, an evicted tenant; and, if so, whether he has been able to effect a settlement?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe inspector visited the Mahony estate in connection with the allotment of the turbary, and when there the question of the reinstatement of Walsh was discussed, but the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to make any statement in the matter.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLSeeing that this matter is causing considerable trouble in the county, will the right hon. Gentleman approach the Estates Commissioners and make another attempt to secure a settlement?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes. The Commissioners are fully alive to the importance of the matter, which, as the hon. Member knows, is a very difficult one, but I will draw their attention to it again.
§ 26. Mr. O'SULLIVANasked whether the Estates Commissioners have inquired into the case of Daniel Myers, of Barley-mount, on the Ventry estate, Killarney; and whether steps will be immediately taken to have him reinstated?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inquired into Daniel Myers' application for reinstatement, and have decided not to take any action in the matter.
§ 27. Mr. O'SULLIVANasked what steps have been taken to reinstate Mr. Timothy Brosnahan, of Inchicurrigane, on the Busteed estate, county Kerry, in the holding from which he was evicted?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe holding formerly occupied by Timothy Brosnahan's mother is now in the possession of another tenant, and the Estates Commissioners cannot take any action in the matter of his application for reinstatement.