§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland if he can say whether the Estates Commissioners have yet purchased the untenanted lands at Ballynorth, in the county of Limerick, on the property of the representatives of the late Dudley O'Grady; and, if so, can he say when steps will be taken to apportion the lands to deserving applicants?
§ Mr. BIRRELLFormal proceedings for the sale of this estate to the Estates Commissioners were instituted by the owner on the 19th instant. The estate will be dealt with in order of priority.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked if the Estates Commissioners have made any move recently to acquire the untenanted land on the Smith estate at Ballynanty, Bruff, county Limerick; and, in view of the fact that this land has been let on the eleven months' system for the past thirty years, to the detriment of the evicted tenants, labourers, and small holders, will steps be taken to have it acquired at once, and thus prevent the unrest which prevails in the locality?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are making inquiries as to the possibility of acquiring these lands under the voluntary provisions of the Land Purchase Acts.
§ Mr. LUNDONasked if the estate of Lord Ashbrook, at Carrighuile, Killeely, county Limerick, which has been purchased for the 1682W past seven years, will be vested in the tenants this year; and what has been the cause of delay in having the sale wound up?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The agreements signed by the tenants for the purchase of their holdings were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in 1906, and the Commissioners anticipate that the estate will be reached in order of priority to be dealt with during the ensuing financial year.