HC Deb 06 July 1914 vol 64 cc834-5
86. Mr. FFRENCH

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if a resolution was forwarded by the South Wexford executive of the United Irish League, on the 15th of May last, to the Estates Commissioners, urging them to hasten negotiations for the purchase of the estate of the representatives of Thomas Boyd (Record 9545), county Wexford; and if any offer has yet been made, and on what date?

The CHIEF SECRETARY for IRELAND (Mr. Birrell)

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. An offer has not yet been made in this case. The Estates Commissioners have had the land inspected, and the question of making an offer will be considered by them as soon as practicable.

Mr. NEWMAN

Are the Estates Commissioners going to buy this estate and hand it over to the United Irish League?

Mr. BIRRELL

No, Sir. They have had the land inspected, and are considering whether they should make any offer.

89. Mr. O'DONNELL

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether several tenants on the Rae estate, Keil, county Kerry, have suffered loss in their crops and in their cattle during the past five years owing to neglect in repairing the sea-bank; whether these tenants are guaranteed in their judicial leases and have had their rents fixed on the understanding that the landlord will maintain the banks; and, if so, whether the Estates Commissioners will take some steps to see that the landlord carries out his legal obligation and that he be compelled to give compensation to the men who have suffered through his neglect?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board have recently made an offer for the purchase of the estate referred to which has been accepted. During last spring breaches were caused in the embankment owing to abnormal tides, and steps were taken by the vendor to have the damage repaired. The Board are not yet aware of what loss, if any, in cattle and crops has been suffered by the tenants during the past five years, and they cannot compel the vendor to compensate tenants for any loss that occurred. The Board cannot at present say whether guarantees were given in the tenants' judicial leases, or whether their rents were fixed on the understanding that the owner should maintain the embankment, as copies of the judicial agreements have not yet been lodged with them by the vendor. When making the offer the obligation of the owner to maintain the embankment was taken into consideration.