§ Mr. GINNELLasked when Lord Greville's estates, Westmeath, for which purchase agreements were signed in 1907, will be vested in the tenant-purchasers?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the vendor to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. It is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash), and, having regard to its position thereon, and the claims of other estates in priority to it, the Estates Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached in its turn to be dealt with.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on the estate of Sir Morgan O'Connell, Ballybeggan, Tralee, sold to the Estates Commissioners, there are three tenants who have not yet got the benefit of purchase; and whether, before the estate is vested, steps will be taken to secure that those men are allowed to purchase their holdings?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Member appears to be under a misapprehension. This estate is the subject of proceedings before the Estates Commissioners for sale by the vendor direct to the tenants, and the terms of sale are a matter for arrangement between the parties. The Commissioners understand that the three tenants referred to are second-term judicial tenants, and were offered the same terms of purchase by the vendor as were accepted by the other second-term tenants.
§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that on the Aylmer estate, lately acquired by the Estates Commissioners, there are eighty-nine uneconomic and congested holdings; that the farms of Russellstown and Grangebiggan are situated on the Aylmer estate; will he say whether the said farms are tenanted or untenanted, and, if the latter, have any steps been taken to 994W acquire the same, and is the farm of one Good, of Milltown, in the same district, now up for sale; is it the intention of the Estates Commissioners to acquire these farms in order to relieve the above-mentioned congestion; and, if not, what steps do they intend to take to relieve the said congestion?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe eighty-nine holdings referred to were included in the proceedings instituted for the sale of this estate direct to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The Estates Commissioners refused to sanction the advances applied for in respect of these holdings, and suggested that the owner should sell them and a large tract of bog to the Commissioners, which he has agreed to do, and a scheme for user of the bog, which the Commissioners have acquired, is in course of preparation. The two farms first mentioned have not been acquired, and the Commissioners are not at present in a position to state in what manner they may utilise these farms, if acquired. The Commissioners cannot from the particulars given identify the other farm referred to as being the subject of proceedings for sale before them.