§ 25. Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board, after issuing an offer to Mr. Stanuel for the purchase of his estate near Newport, county Mayo, withdrew the offer, stating that they were obliged to suspend land purchase; whether all the other estates in the neighbourhood have been acquired by the Board; and, having regard to the congestion on the Stanuel estate and the necessity for the enlargement of the holdings thereon, the Board will repeat their offer to Mr. Stanuel before the untenanted lands in the district are all distributed amongst the tenants on purchased estates?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Congested Districts Board inform me that they made an offer for purchase of this property in April, 1914, which was not accepted. In April, 1915, the Board withdrew their offer, as they were obliged to suspend negotiations for the purchase of any further estates. The Board have purchased a number of estates in Newport district, but they have not acquired all the estates in the neighbourhood. They are unable at present to reopen negotiations with Mr. Stanuel with a, view to acquiring his property.
§ Mr. DUKEI surmise that the War has to some extent interfered with the funds under the control of the Congested Districts Board.
§ Mr. DORISWhy should they not be able to carry out their statutory duties towards these poor people?