§ Mr. MULDOONasked whether there were on the 1st April, 1910, twenty-one evicted tenants noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land; whether on the 31st March, 1911, not one of these tenants had been either reinstated or furnished with other holdings; what reason is given by the Estates Commissioners for 856W the delay in this work; and when do they hope to bring it to a conclusion?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The Estates Commissioners have been in negotiation for the purchase of untenanted land, and arrangements have been completed to place four of the evicted tenants in possession to-morrow of lands which the Commissioners have been able to acquire, and the remaining cases will be dealt with according as lands are acquired by the Commissioners.
§ Mr. FFRENCHasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners stated in June, 1909, that the name of Michael Rowe had been noted for consideration in the allotment of untenanted land; and whether, as he was evicted from the Templemore property, and has long ago put in a claim for untenanted land, can he say if there is at present any prospect of his getting a farm?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first paragraph is in the affirmative. Rowe's application will be considered in the allotment of the untenanted land on the estate, which is the subject of proceedings before the Estates Commissioners, but which they have not yet acquired as it has not yet been reached in order of priority.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked whether the Estates Commissioners have inquired into the applications for reinstatement made by the following evicted tenants, and, if so, what further steps have they taken in each case, namely, John Lynch, Hugh Crean, and John Courtney, Ballinvogig, Annascaul, Dingle, evicted April, 1887, Michael Fitzgerald and Jeremiah Fitzgerald, Garrywilliam, Castlegregory, and Johanna M'Mahon, Maurice Barry, and Denis Courtney, Lougher Annascaul?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have inquired into and considered the application of John Lynch, Hugh Crean, and John Courtney, and decided not to take any action. Michael Fitzgerald's case has been inquired into and his name has been noted for consideration in the distribution of untenanted land. As regards the case of Maurice Barry, I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a question asked by him on 6th April, to which I have nothing to add. The Commissioners do not appear to have received applications from Jeremiah Fitzgerald, Johanna McMahon, or Denis Courtney.
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§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether the inspector who inquired into the application of Mr. William Neill, of Bansha, Killorglin, Kerry, for reinstatement to his farm on the Blennerhassett estate, near Tralee, was aware that Mr. Neill holds a pass book, showing receipts for rent down to 1885 as an agricultural tenant, entitling him to avail of all the provisions of the Land Law Acts; if he saw those receipts, how did he arrive at the conclusion that no action should be taken; and if he will state what new construction it is proposed to put on the Evicted Tenants Act which would exclude a tenant who held as an agricultural tenant down to 1885?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Estates Commissioners have seen the pass book referred to by the hon. Member, and after full inquiry and consideration decided to take no action in regard to William O'Neill's application for reinstatement.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether the Commissioners investigated the claims of the representatives of the late Maurice Murphy, who was evicted from a farm on the estate of Lord Headley, Aghadoe, Killarney; whether, seeing that he was an agricultural tenant holding under lease dating back to 1848, which compelled him annually to expend large sums in improvements, finally he broke down owing to a large increase in his rent; and whether, under these special circumstances and as he is well within the Statute, immediate steps will be taken to provide his representatives with a holding?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe reply to the first paragraph of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the remainder of the question I would refer the hon. Member to my reply to a similar question asked by him on 18th May, to which I have nothing to add.