Dr. ESMONDEasked the Chief Secretary if he is aware that Mr. John Kennedy, of Castlewood House, Clontarf, has offered his property at Borrisoleigh, county Tipperary, to the Estates Commissioners; and if he will state if the Commissioners are prepared to purchase the same?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis property, which includes a number of shops and houses in Borrisoleigh is not in the main agricultural and pastoral and cannot therefore be purchased by the Estates Commissioners.
§ Mr. GUINEYasked whether the Estates Commissioners have ordered an inspection of the lands known as the Park, situate at Ballyclogh, county Cork, in the possession of the owners, the representatives of C. P. Cook, with a view to making an offer for their acquirement, these lands not being tenanted and now being let to adjoining farmers on the weekly and monthly grazing system?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe hon. Member presumably refers to the estate of C. P. Coote, county Cork, and if so the answer to the question is in the negative. The Estates Commissioners approached the owner some time ago, and were informed that he was not prepared to sell the lands.
§ Mr. O'DOWDasked what steps the Congested Districts Board have taken in the matter of the purchase of the Duke estate, situate in the Drumfin electoral division, near Ballymote, Union of Sligo?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are in communication with the owner of this estate, who has been 349W requested to lodge the necessary maps and schedules to enable an inspection of the property to be made.
§ Mr. DORISasked what steps the Congested Districts Board has taken to acquire the estate of the Marquess of Sligo, county Mayo, since the estate maps and other necessary papers were lodged with the Board early in February last?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThis Estate is at present being valued by the officers of the Congested Districts Board.
§ Mr. DORISasked whether the Congested Districts Board have yet made an offer for the purchase of the estate of Miss Phibbs, situate near Manulla, county Mayo; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board have not yet made an offer for the purchase of the estate referred to, but they hope to do so at a nearly date.
§ Mr. DORISalso asked whether the Congested Districts Board have been in communication with Miss Crotty regarding the sale of her estate at Kinnury, Westport, county Mayo; and, if so, with what result?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Congested Districts Board are now communicating with the owner of this estate as to whether she is willing to negotiate for the sale of the property through them.