§ Mr. LYNCHasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether his attention has been called to the delays in putting into force throughout West Clare the Land Act of 1909; whether the agricultural interests of the county are unnecessarily suffering in consequence; and whether ho will advise the Congested Districts Board to devote particular attention to West Clare and speed up the machinery for dealing with the estates?
§ Mr. DUKEThe Congested Districts Board inform me that they are utilising in the fullest measure their available resources of staff and money to hasten the preparation for resale of estates on hand, and they are doing what they can in West Clare, as in other districts, to prepare the estates for sale with the least delay practicable. The agricultural interests of county Clare are affected in like manner as in other districts where the Land Purchase Acts are suspended by reason of the War.
§ Mr. FLAVINasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he can state what is the total amount of money to date deducted from the Grants paid to the Kerry County Council for loss on the flotation of stock and defaulting annuitants under the Land Purchase Acts; and whether he can state what is the net loss to date to the ratepayers of Kerry?
§ Mr. DUKEThere have not been any deductions or additions made from or to Grants paid in county Kerry in connection with the flotation of stock for land purchase. The deductions made from Grants in respect of all other land purchase liability amount to £11,258 15s. 5d., and the additions made to these Grants amount to £l,829 10s. 8d., making a total net deduction of £9,429 4s. 9d. up to 31st March, 1916. I am advised, and it has often been stated to the House, that the amount of ultimate loss in these transactions is much less than the sum named.