Mr. COSGRAVEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the graziers and planters on the Clanricarde estate, county Galway, were made permanent tenants for the purpose of evading the enactments passed for the restoration of the evicted tenants and the enlargements of the uneconomic holdings on the estate; and if he will state what steps the Congested Districts Board intend to take with regard to bogus tenancies on this property?
§ Mr. BIRRELLI am not aware what were the motives underlying the conversion of temporary lettings of grass lands on the Clanricarde estate into permanent tenancies. The Congested Districts Board will deal with the estate in accordance with their usual procedure, and acquire volun- 1211W tarily or compulsorily, under their statutory powers, all suitable lands urgently required for the relief of congestion, which in their opinion ought to be utilised for this purpose. In this connection they are willing to enter into negotiations with any of the planters or other tenants of farms for the acquisition of their occupation interest in the farms they hold.