§ 13. Mr. O'DONNELLasked what steps the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board propose to take to compel the owners of the Pierce estate, Keel, county Kerry, to compensate Mr. O'Brien, Mr. O'Donnell, and others, whose lands have been seriously injured by flooding, due to breaches in a badly-kept embankment; and whether, seeing that these tenants have judicial tenancies with rents fixed, subject to the guarantee of the banks being kept in repair by the landlords, the Estates Commissioners will refuse to collect further interest till the embankment is put in repair and compensation given to the tenants for the loses they have suffered?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe owner of this estate instituted proceedings for sale direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and purchase agreements at prices agreed upon between the parties were lodged with the Estates Commissioners. In their agreements the tenants contracted to pay interest in lieu of rent, and the Commissioners are under a statutory obligation to collect such interest, and have no power to comply with the suggestion contained in the question.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked a question which was inaudible in the Reporters' Gallery.
§ Mr. BIRRELLThat appears to be so, but it is no part of the agreement itself.