HC Deb 01 April 1912 vol 36 cc1018-9W
Mr. BOLAND

asked whether, in the event of the re-consideration of the claims put forward by evicted tenants in South Kerry the case of Cornelius Doyle, Cappaganeen, Beaufort, will be favourably considered?

Mr. BIRRELL

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on the 23rd November last to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. O'DONNELL

asked whether the Estates Commissioners are bound to inquire into the facts of every application made by a bonâ fide evicted tenant; whether, if they find as a fact that the applicant was an agricultural tenant of a farm from which he was evicted since the passing of the Act of 1881, they have any power to refuse to entertain his case; and whether, seeing that Mr. William O Neill, Clashedmond, Ballyseedy, was a tenant till 1885, when he was evicted, will he explain why the Estates Commissioners, having stated in 1908 that he was a suitable applicant and entitled to be reinstated, now say he is not, by their refusing to take any steps to restore him?

Mr. BIRRELL

The making of an advance for the purchase of a parcel of land to any person claiming reinstatement as an evicted tenant, or the representative of an evicted tenant, is a matter wholly within the discretion of the Estates Commissioners. As regards the case of William O'Neill, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his question on this subject on 5th December last, to which I have nothing to add.

Mr. FFRENCH

asked the Chief Secretary whether application was made by Murtah Higgins to the Estates Commis- sioners for reinstatement in his farm of about twenty-two acres in Monamough, which is situated in South Wexford, on the estate of Mr. Bruen; and whether, seeing that this farm was taken up on the expiration of the lease and incorporated in the Coolbawn home-farm, and that the applicant's mother is still in possession of their house, he will have inquiries made with a view to the restoration of their land to the evicted tenants?

Mr. BIRRELL

The hon. Member presumably refers to the case of Mary Higgins, from whom the Estates Commissioners received an application for reinstatement in a holding formerly occupied by her on the townland referred to. Her application was not received within the period limited by the Evicted Tenants Act, 1907, and cannot be dealt with under that Act.