§ 22. Mr. FITZPATRICKasked the Home Secretary if he will state the total quantity of land purchased and divided in the Queen's County by the Estates Commissioners since the Land Act of 1903 came into operation?
Mr. SAMUELThe Estates Commissioners have purchased and divided 9,699 acres of untenanted land in Queen's County.
§ 40. Mr. O'DONNELLasked whether the Congested Districts Board have refused all offers of settlement of the case of Michael O'Connor, Turbrin; whether their treatment of this man is intended to cover their own mistake when purchasing the estate; and whether, if they refuse offers of arbitration, they will get the assistance of the police in evicting this man from his holding?
Mr. SAMUELMichael Connor having declined to carry out the reasonable settlement to which he had agreed, the Congested Districts Board are obliged to take steps to obtain possession of the lands under a writ which they have obtained. The Board when purchasing the Ventry estate made no mistake in respect of the purchase price of Connor's 1873 holding. If it should be necessary, the police will give protection to those engaged in carrying out the law.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLAs this dispute has gone on between the tenant and the Board for over five years, and as there are grounds for supposing that the tenant has some right on his side, will the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Board that some other tribunal should look into the matter before it is finally disposed of?
§ Mr. O'DONNELLDoes the right hon. Gentleman really suggest that in a case like this, where the tenant is ready to have this matter submitted to any tribunal other than the Board, that he would refuse to allow that?