§ 60. Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether there are over sixty uneconomic holdings of land in the immediate neighbourhood of large grazing farms on the De Clifford estate, at Face-field, Claremorris, county Mayo; and what steps, if any, the Congested Districts Board have taken, or contemplate taking, to acquire these grazing farms for the enlargement of the small holdings and the relief of the congested landholders in the district?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Congested Districts Board are aware that there are a number of congested holdings in the neighbourhood of the farms on the De Clifford Estate, and a Committee of the Board have visited the lands and will advise as to the best means of dealing with the matter.
§ 62. Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, what steps, if any, the Congested Districts Board have taken to acquire the grazing tracts of over 500 acres on the Domville estate, near Balla, county 1857 Mayo, for the relief of the congestion amongst 130 tenants on the estate and surrounding townlands; and if he can state the nature of the tenancies under which the grazing farms are at present held?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Congested Districts Board have decided to acquire possession of a farm containing 271 acres, if necessary, by compulsion, for the relief of congestion on the Domville Estate. The estate is not vested in the Board, and they cannot at present take any further steps with regard to this farm. They have acquired the tenant's interest in another farm on the property comprising 215 acres, held under a yearly tenancy.
§ 65. Mr. DORISasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps, if any, the Congested Districts Board have taken to relieve the congestion in the townlands of Rockfield and Dooncastle, on the estate of Lord Lucan, which was acquired by the Board in the year 1902; whether he is aware that the tenants have made numerous appeals to the Board to discharge its statutory obligations towards them; and if he will state when the Board hope to be able to deal with this case of special hardship, nearly all the holdings being uneconomic and split up in rundale?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Congested Districts Board were unable to enlarge any of the holdings at Rockfield or Dooncastle on the Lucan estate, as no adjacent land was available for the purpose, and the sale was therefore postponed. The Board have now arranged for the purchase of the Sligo estate, portion of which adjoins the townlands referred to, and they hope to be able to provide some enlargements for congested holdings at Rockfield and Dooncastle. Until the Sligo estate is vested in the Board new holdings there cannot be allotted.
§ Mr. DORISCan the right hon. Gentleman tell us when the Sligo estate is likely to become vested in the Board? It has been purchased for a considerable time.