§ 20. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked whether the agreement between Dowd, a sub-tenant on the farm of P. Mulhern, estate of Mr. O'Connor, at Cruckawn, county Longford, will be given effect to and the sub-tenancy vested in the sub-tenant, the direct tenant, Mulhern, having assented to this settlement?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners inform me that Timothy Dowd is a sub-tenant of about 1½ acres on the holding of James Mulhern on the estate referred to, which was the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants. The Commissioners decided that the case was not one in which the sub-tenant should be deemed to be tenant for the purposes of sale of the parcel of land in his occupation, and the entire holding has accordingly been vested in Mulhern, subject to the sub-tenancy. The Commissioners have no knowledge of the agreement referred to in the question, and the matter cannot be reopened.
§ 21. Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary what is the cause of the delay investing the lands of Caldraghmore, county Longford, estate of George Lemon, deceased, in the tenants; whether he is aware that this is a small estate, with only a few tenants, and there is no obstacle as to title or the like in the case; and will he now direct that the estate be vested forthwith in these few tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are unable from the particulars given to identify this estate as the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.
§ 22. Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary what is the cause of the delay in concluding the arrangement made with the landlady's representative for the sale and division of the lands of Toneymore, Shirley Ball estate, county Longford, 1765 amongst the uneconomic and landless people of that district; whether nearly five years have elapsed since this matter was settled; and will he now request the Estates Commissioners to conclude the transaction?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the owner has included in the proceedings some 137 acres of untenanted land situate on the townlands of Toneymore and Abbeylara for sale to the Estates Commissioners. The estate is on the principal register of direct sales, and, having regard to the claims of other estates, the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached, and they have no power to deal with it until it is so reached.
§ 24. Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland the price which the Estates Commissioners were prepared to offer Mr. James W. Bond, D.L., for the lands of Coolcraft, North Longford; whether he is aware that this landlord has declared he was willing to sell and that the price only remained to be settled; what was the report of the inspector in the case; and will he now request the Commissioners to reopen the negotiations in order to allay local feeling in the matter?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt would be contrary to the Estates Commissioners' practice to make any statement as to the price which they were prepared to advance for the purchase of lands which have not been acquired by them, or to disclose the contents of their inspectors' reports, which are furnished for the confidential information of the Commissioners.
§ Mr. FARRELLAm I to understand from the right hon. Gentleman's reply that the Commissioners regard this matter as closed and will take no further action?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI think that that is so.
§ 29. Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether the Estates Commissioners have yet considered the report of their inspector on his recent inspection of the Massy estate; whether they must conduct any further negotiations with the Land Judge before fixing the terms of purchase with the tenants; is he in a position to state what these terms will be; and what consideration is being given to the claims of evicted tenants on or in the neighbourhood of this estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have not yet considered their inspector's report on this estate. Further negotiations with the Land Judge will be necessary before fixing the terms of purchase, and the Commissioners are not therefore in a position to say what these terms will be. The claims of evicted tenants will be considered by the Commissioners when they are dealing with the property if acquired by them.
§ 30. Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that it is most desirable, in the interests of the evicted tenants, small holders, and labourers of the district, that the demesne and untenanted lands on the Massy estate, near Macroom, should be acquired for purposes of distribution; whether the Estates Commissioners have made any representations to the Land Judge claiming that all the property on this estate should be placed at their disposal; and, if not, will they immediately do so, having regard to the importance of the interests affected; and whether they will at the same time take steps to have the holdings on the town portion of this estate sold to the occupying tenants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have not made any representations to the Land Judge on the subject of the sale of the mansion house and demesne lands and they are not prepared at this stage of the proceedings now pending before them in connection with the sale of the agricultural portion of the property to make any statement as to what action, if any, they may take in the matter.
§ 31. Mr. SHEEHANasked whether the Estates Commissioners will take immediate steps to ascertain whether Henry Good, a tenant on the estate of Sir George Colthurst, at Ballyvourney, is now willing to consent to a sale, on terms already arranged, to his sub-tenant Cornelius Sheehan; whether Sheehan has all along been willing to purchase at the price fixed by the Commissioners; and whether they have communicated to the tenant Good their decision to dismiss the proceedings for the sale of his holding unless he comes to terms forthwith with his sub-tenant?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners informed Good's solicitor some time ago that if his client was not prepared to consent to the purchase by Sheehan of the lands in his occupation as sub-tenant 1767 they would consider the advisability of excluding Good's holding from the sale, and they have now intimated to him that if Good refuses to signify his consent within a reasonable period the Commissioners will dismiss the proceedings for the sale of the holding. The Commissioners are aware that Sheehan is willing to purchase at the price estimated by them.