17. Mr. COSGRAVEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Congested Districts Board has issued processes for rent against a number of tenants on the Comyn Estate, county Galway; whether he is aware that the cause of the tenants' refusal to pay their rents is because of the inaction of the Board to acquire, for distribution 2273 amongst twenty-three uneconomic holders on this estate, 170 acres which is at present in the possession of three graziers who have already large grazing ranches on other estates in the locality; and why were the poor people processed to the Gort Quarter Sessions, a distance of 20 miles, and not to Ballinasloe, which is only four miles from their homes?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Comyn Estate is not yet vested in the Congested Districts Board and until the Board are legal owners of the property they cannot take steps to resume possession of any holding thereon. The tenants have been informed that the Board were prepared to migrate to six new holdings elsewhere selected tenants from the Comyn Estate. I am making inquiry into the matter referred to in the last part of the question, and will in due course inform the hon. Member of the result.