§ Mr. FFRENCHasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that all the papers with reference to the Boyd estate, Duncormack, South Wexford (Record No. 9545), have been lodged with the Estates Commissioners; and can he say when the estate will be inspected?
§ Mr. BIRRELLFormal proceedings for the sale of this estate to the Estates Commissioners were instituted by the lodgment of the necessary documents on the 10th instant, and the estate will be dealt with in order of priority.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether, in regard to the Noughaval farm, 1003W near Kilfenora, West Clare, Mr. T. H. Blackall has sold his interest to any individual; whether his offer of June, 1911, to the Congested Districts Board is still available; whether he can state why the Board has not acquired this estate; whether it is proposed to acquire it in the near future; and whether in that case it will be dealt with according to the provisions of the Land Act of 1909?
§ Mr. B1RRELLThe Congested Districts Board understand that Mr. Blackall has disposed of his interest in the farm referred to, but they do not know the name of the purchaser. The Board are not prepared to negotiate for the purchase of the tenancy unless they acquire the fee-simple. The owner of the estate on which this farm is situate has not expressed his willingness to sell his estate to the Board, and they do not propose at present to take steps to acquire it compulsorily.
§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary whether negotiations are now in active progress for acquiring land in West Clare for the re-instatement of evicted tenants; and whether, in regard to Daniel Neylon, of the Stratford estate, Kilfenora, West Clare, whose case is typical, regard will be paid to the fact that he has been living for years in the expectancy of reinstatement, according to the promise of the Estates Commissioners, and that, by carrying out the provisions of the Land Act of 1909, it would be possible for the Congested Districts Board to acquire sufficient land to permit the reinstatement of all the evicted tenants in West Clare as well as the establishment of all the congests on the soil?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners are in negotiation for the acquisition of untenanted land in county Clare, and in its allotment the cases of evicted tenants (including that of Daniel Neylon) whose applications have been approved of by the Commissioners, will be considered and dealt with as rapidly as possible.