§ 96. Mr. O'DOWDasked whether the Chief Secretary is aware that the Estates Commissioners some years ago decided that Richard Foy, whose father was evicted from a farm in Ballinaraw, Bunninadden, county Sligo, should be provided with a holding; and, if so, can he say what steps, if any, are being taken to have him so provided?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners, after further inquiry, decided to take no action in the matter of Foy's application, and they are not prepared to alter this decision.
§ Mr. O'DOWDIs it not a fact that the Estates Commissioners decided six years ago that Foy was a genuine applicant for the farm?
§ Mr. BIRRELLYes, I believe they may have decided that. At the present moment, at all events, they are not prepared to take any action in the matter. I cannot go into the reasons.
§ 97. Mr. FLAVINasked why Michael Driscoll, an evicted tenant on the Mrs. A. C. Leahy estate, at Ballinclemsig, North Kerry, has not been reinstated in his holding; and why has there been such delay in his case, seeing that numerous applications have been made on his behalf?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners received an application from Michael Driscoll for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by his mother, and now in the occupation of another tenant, with whom they have no power to interfere. Driscoll's application has been provisionally noted for consideration in the allotment of such untenanted land as may be acquired by the Commissioners.
§ Mr. FLAVINMay I ask whether a part of this evicted farm was untenanted, and will they acquire that portion of the farm for the tenant?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not know whether the tenant would be satisfied with only 1867 that portion of the farm which is not now in possession of another tenant, but I will inquire into that.