§ 92. Mr. FRANCIS MEEHANasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants on the Johnston estate, Rossinver, couny Leitrim, petitioned the Estates Commissioners regarding the terms under which they were compelled to purchase their holdings, the flooding of the lands, the making of roads, and the redistribution of waste lands; whether these matters will be considered previous to the advance of the purchase money; and when will the estate be inspected and vested?
§ The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)The hon. Member presumably refers to the Johnston estate at Kinlough, county Leitrim, which is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants, who signed purchase agreements under the Irish Land Act, 1903, at prices agreed on between the parties. The owner has also agreed to sell some 440 acres of untenanted land to the Estates Commissioners at their estimated price, and when acquired by them this land will be available for the enlargement of small holdings on the estate. The estate has been inspected and will be dealt with at an early date. The Commissioners have not received the petition referred to in the question.
§ 96. Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Dr. Crean, of Ballyhaunis, county Mayo, holds a large tract of grazing land at Rookwood, county Galway, in the immediate neighbourhood of a large number of congested holdings the tenants of which have requested the Estates Commissioners to purchase the lands of Rookwood, and also waited on Dr. Crean requesting him to sell, 43 to which he then agreed; whether the Estates Commissioners made him an offer for the lands three years ago, which he refused, and subsequently a further offer; and, as the tenants are restless in consequence of their being deprived of the benefits of an Act of Parliament passed ten years ago, at the introduction of which they were told that the Act was chiefly intended for the benefit of such tenants, will he now say how the matter stands?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that Dr. Crean is the tenant of a large holding on the Bagot estate, county Galway. This estate was the subject of proceedings for sale in the Land Judge's Court, and was purchased by the Commissioners under the provisions of Section 7 of the Irish Land Act, 1903. In connection with the resale of the property, the Commissioners were desirous of acquiring portion of the holding as untenanted land for the enlargement of small holdings on the property, but were unable to come to an agreement as to price with Dr. Crean. They subsequently, at Dr. Crean's request, intimated to him the price they were prepared to give him for the entire holding, but he declined to sell at this price. The Commissioners are unable to advance under the Land Purchase Acts, having regard to the security for the repayment of the advance, such a sum as Dr. Crean will take for his interest.