Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what is the delay in reference to the sale of the Donat Sampson property, county Clare.
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings in the Land Judge's Court, and the Estates Commissioners have issued a request under Section 7 of the Irish Land Act, 1903, with a view to purchasing the property. It will be dealt with in order of priority.
§ Mr. GUINEYasked what is the cause of the delay in completing the purchase by the tenants on the Hill estate, at Kilcoleman, Doneraile, county Cork, seeing that the owners are now in receipt of 4 per cent. interest, and assured the tenants when arranging terms of purchase that the lands would be vested within twelve months, the date of signing purchase agreements being 15th May, 1906?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are unable from the particulars given in the question to identify this estate as the subject of proceedings for sale before them under the Land Purchase Acts.
§ Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked whether the Congested Districts Board have taken steps in regard to a petition received from the Moyloughbeg tenants on the Michael estate, county Galway, in reference to a grazing farm upon the estate; and whether the Board will secure it for the purpose of enlargement of uneconomic holdings in the district?
1662W
§ Mr. BIRRELLA communication was received in November last requesting the Congested Districts Board to acquire the farm in question. The Board had previously written to the agent with a view of opening negotiations for the sale of the estate through the Board, but so far the estate has not been offered to them.
§ Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the tenants upon the Ahascragh and Doon portions of the Clonbrook estate, county Galway, were promised that by signing agreements to purchase in March, 1908, that sale would be completed within twelve months from that date; and whether he would now instruct the Commissioners to give tenants the benefits of the Act with as little delay as possible?
§ Mr. BIRRELLAs I have already informed the hon. Member in reply to his question on 23rd March, 1910, the Estates Commissioners gave no undertaking that the sale of this estate would be completed within one year from March, 1908. The estate, which has not yet been reached in order of priority, will be dealt with as soon as practicable.
§ Mr. SHEEHANasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, if he will explain the present position of affairs on the Pringle estate, Ballycastle, county Mayo, which has been recently acquired by the Congested Districts Board; what arrangement is it proposed to make as to the liquidation of the arrears owing by the bulk of the tenants; it is the intention of the Board to wipe these out completely and not add them to the purchase money, which would merely stereotype the poverty of the district; whether any assurances have been given to Mr. M J. Healey, honorary secretary, All-for-Ireland League, who has been acting for the tenants; and, if so, what are their nature; are there large areas of grazing lands on the estate; and how is it proposed to utilise these pending their distribution amongst the tenants later on?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board made an offer for this estate, which was accepted by the owner on the 15th November, 1910. The completion of the sale is still pending before the Land Commission. The price offered by the Board includes all arrears of rent due by the tenants to the 1st May, 1910. When the estate is vested in the Board, and they are in a position to sell the holdings to the 1663W tenants, the arrears due by each tenant to 1st May, 1910, will be liquidated in accordance with the Board's usual practice. No assurances have been given to Mr. M. J. Healy, but letters addressed by him to the Board asking for information were fully replied to in the ordinary course. As regards the grazing lands on the estate, possession is to be given before 1st April, and when possession has been obtained grazing stock owned by landholders in the neighbourhood will be taken on the lands at a price per head, preference being given to the stock of small landholders.