§ 9. Mr. O'MALLEYasked the Chief Secretary whether the maps of the O'Malley and Joyce estate, Rangha, Connemara, have yet been sent to the Congested Districts Board; if he will state whether the landlord of the St. Ledger Higgins estate, Maam, Connemara, has yet accepted the offer made by the Congested Districts Board for purchase; and, if not, will the Congested Districts Board consider the desirability of compulsorily purchasing the estate without further delay, in view of the fact that the tenants are unable to subsist on their present small holdings, and that discontent prevails in consequence?
§ Mr. DUKEThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative, and to the second part in the negative. The Congested Districts Board have been obliged to suspend negotiations for the purchase of any further estates and cannot at present take any steps with a view to the compulsory purchase of the St. Ledger Higgins estate in regard to which their offer has been withdrawn.