§ Mr. J. P. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he will explain the cause of delay in vesting in the tenants of the Galbraith Estate, in North Longford, the holdings they purchased nearly six years ago; whether he is aware that this is a poor estate, the tenants on which are not able to continue indefinitely the payment of the 4 per cent. annuity in lieu of rent to which they were compelled to agree at the time of sale; and will he direct the Estate Commissioners to expedite the sale so as to relieve them of a heavy burden?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the landlord to the tenants under the Irish Land Act 1903. The agreements signed by the tenants for the purchase of their holdings were lodged in October, 1907. The sale of the estate has been delayed by the refusal of the tenants to consent to a right of way to a bog through their holdings. The Estates Commissioners have sanctioned a free grant towards the 419W making of this bog pass, and until this matter is settled the Commissioners cannot sanction the advance of the purchase money and the holdings cannot be vested in the tenants.
Mr. WILLIAM REDMONDasked whether the Congested Districts Board contemplate dealing at an early date with the O'Callaghan-Westrop estate, county Clare?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are at present negotiating with Colonel O'Callaghan-Westrop respecting the purchase of his estate, but they are not yet in a position to make any statement on the subject.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the tenants of the Mountshannon and Ballyguiry (parish of Killofin, rural district of Killadysert), portions of the estate of Captain Vandeleur in West Clare, have, on several occasions during the past five years, made offers in regard to sale, and that these offers have been refused; whether the fact that these estates are held by middle landlords (Mr. Marcus Keane, for Mountshannon, and Miss Helena Barclay, for Ballyguiry) forms any obstacle to the operations of the Land Act of 1909; and, if not, whether steps will be taken by the Congested Districts Board, without further delay, to deal with these estates?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have no information regarding the offers of the tenants referred to. They have been in communication with Captain Vandeleur's solicitors as to the purchase of the fee-simple of the lands referred to held by Mr. Marcus Keane. The existence of the middle interest is a difficulty in the way of purchase, but the case is at present receiving the Board's attention. The Board have no information with regard to Miss Helena Barclay's farm at Ballyguiry.
§ Mr. LYNCHalso asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that, in regard to the Westby estate, West Clare, the Congested Districts Board has received a memorial from the tenants desiring that the estate should be dealt with according to the provisions of the Land Act, 1909; whether the delay of the Congested Districts Board in dealing with the estate has permitted a considerable portion of this estate to be alienated from the use of the tenants who formerly occupied it; and 420W whether, in view of the local feeling excited by negotiations in contravention of the Land Act, 1909, he can give assurance that this estate will be dealt with as soon as possible by the Congested Districts Board?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board received the memorial referred to and forwarded it to the Estates Commissioners, who are dealing with the matter. This estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the landlord to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903, and the matters referred to in the memorial will be inquired into by the Estates Commissioners when the estate is being inspected in its order of priority.
§ Mr. LYNCHfurther asked the Chief Secretary the progress of the negotiations undertaken by the Congested Districts Board with regard to the Blackhall farm on the Armstrong estate, at Noughaval, West Clare; whether he is aware that the delay in arriving at a settlement has caused unrest in the district; and whether the matter will be dealt with speedily?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis matter is at present engaging the attention of the Congested Districts Board, but no decision has yet been arrived at.