§ 62. Captain SHEEHANasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether the evicted farm on the Thomson-Orpen estate, formerly occupied by Timothy Murphy, at Coolekerane, Millstreet, county Cork, was 254 exempt from tillage last year; if so, on what grounds this was done; whether the evicted tenant was willing to perform the required tillage if he was permitted to do so; whether the Tillage Order will be made to apply to this farm this year; and whether it is the policy of the Government and the Department to give undue and unnecessary preferences to evicted farms, and thus encourage a system which has brought much ruin and mischief to Ireland?
§ Mr. DUKEThe case referred to in the hon. and gallant Member's question is being again considered by the Department of Agriculture under the Tillage Orders in force for the present year.
§ Major NEWMANWas the owner of that land a man who was intimidated?
§ Captain SHEEHANIs not the land in occupation of a caretaker, and are there not many besides the evicted tenant who would be able to cultivate it, which would be in the public interest?
§ Mr. DUKEThe rights of individuals as well as the interests of the public have to be considered in these cases.
§ Captain SHEEHANIs there any question of right in leaving this farm derelict when there is need for tillage?