§ Mr. DANIEL BOYLEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland what steps are being taken by the Congested Districts Board to acquire the estate of Captain Clive, M.P., Ballycray, Mayo; if he is aware that the sale of this estate was agreed upon between the then agent and the tenants in April, 1908, but not proceeded with; that in March, 1910, a second agreement was signed by the parties, but has not been approved by the Congested Districts Board; and that the district in question is acutely suffering from the effects of congestion, in many cases three families living on holdings of a similar number of acres; and if, under the circumstances, the Congested Districts Board will facilitate the completion of the sale of this estate?
§ Mr. BIRRELLCopies of sale agreements signed by the tenants but not by the owner of this estate were lodged with the Congested Districts Board. The Board' refused their consent to the proposed direct sale to the tenants, as they considered that, owing to the character of the property, it should be sold through them. The Board will have an inspection and valuation made of this estate as soon as possible with a view to making an offer for it. The Board have no information as regards the other points raised in the question.