§ 98. Mr. FLAVINasked whether the Chief Secretary can state the present condition of the negotiations with Mr. Eyre Stack for the purchase of his tenanted and untenanted land situate at Ballyconry and Meyvoo, North Kerry; and whether the time has now arrived when the purchase will be completed, either voluntarily or by compulsion, for the benefit of the uneconomic holdings in the immediate vicinity?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have been in correspondence with the owner of the estate referred to, but he has not yet expressed his willingness to sell. The Board do not propose to take steps to acquire the property compulsorily.
§ Mr. FLAVINIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that these negotiations have been going on for the past three years, and is it not time to come to some issue?
§ Mr. BIRRELLWe cannot compel the landlord to sell unless we take compulsory proceedings, and we do not propose to take compulsory proceedings in this case.
§ Mr. FLAVINWill the local people be asked to take compulsory proceedings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI do not know.