§ 29. Mr. O'LEARYasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that an arrangement was come to about six year ago between the landlord and tenants that the control of the Leigh-White estate situated in Adrigole and Glengariffe, should be taken over by the Congested Districts Board, and an undertaking given by the latter to the tenants that the estate would be sold and vested in the tenants in the course of a year or two; whether he is aware that the undertaking has not yet been carried out by the Congested Districts Board, and that the tenants are still required to pay a higher rent than they would pay if the purchase of the estate was completed; whether he can state the reasons for the delay; and if he will urge on the Congested Districts Board the necessity of adhering to their undertaking, and carrying them out in this case without further delay?
§ Mr. DUKETerms for the purchase of this property were agreed upon between the landlord and the Congested Districts Board about six years ago, but no such undertaking as that mentioned in the question was given. The estate is not yet vested in the Board, and, as they are not yet the legal owners of the property, they cannot proceed with the resale of the holdings. In accordance with the usual practice, the tenants are in receipt of abatements in their rents. In some cases agreements undertaking to purchase holdings 1835 have been signed, and in these cases the tenants are being charged interest on the purchase prices in lieu of rent. Pending the vesting of the estate in the Board, they have no power to enforce a scheme of rearrangement.
§ 36. Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked whether any steps are being taken to acquire the vacant and untenanted land of Baron, Moydow, county Longford, and Agharea, Longford, of both of which estates the owners are willing to dispose; and, if not, will he, in view of the importance to uneconomic holders around, call the Estates Commissioners' attention to these cases with a view to immediate action being taken?
§ Mr. DUKEThere do not appear to have been any proceedings before the Estates Commissioners for the sale of the lands mentioned. If the owners institute proceedings for sale the matter will receive attention.
§ Mr. FARRELLWhat about the last part of my question? Will the right hon. Gentleman call the attention of the Estates Commissioners to these cases with a view to immediate action?
§ Mr. DUKEI should have to have a good deal more information than I have at the moment before I could take any exceptional steps to deal with this estate.
§ Mr. FARRELLI will supply some additional information.