HC Deb 13 August 1913 vol 56 cc2520-1W
Mr. SCANLAN

asked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that the Estates Commissioners or the Congested Districts Board have entered into negotiations for the purchase of the Doonflin ranch and the estate of Mrs. Fenton, situated in the townland of Doonflin, parish of Skreen, county Sligo; and will he say when it is expected that those lands will be acquired and distributed for the relief of congestion?

Mr. BIRRELL

The Congested Districts Board communicated with the owner regarding the sale of this estate, but so far the maps and documents necessary for a preliminary inspection of the property have not been lodged. Further inquiries are being made by the Board.

Mr. JOHN ROCHE

asked the Chief Secretary whether the Congested Districts Board or the Estates Commissioners have been offered either the Young or the Lemmon estates, which are close to each other and near Portumna, county Galway; and, if not, will he instruct the Congested Districts Board to approach the owners with a view of purchase, as there are a considerable number of small tenants on and about those estates, including four evicted tenants?

Mr. BIRRELL

The estates referred to have not been offered for sale to the Estates Commissioners. The Congested Districts Board communicated with Mr. Young regarding his estate near Portumna, but it has not been offered for sale through them. They have no information with reference to the Lemmon estate.

Mr. O'DOWD

asked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that the following gentlemen, namely, Messrs. James Clarke, merchant, Tubbercurry, Henry Evans, Aclare, Tubbercurry, James Donohoe and the Reverend Canon Gunning, both of Tubbercurry, M. Howley Curry, Tubbercurry, and James M'Vann, Cloonacool, Tubbercurry, county Sligo, all of whom hold non-residential grazing ranches in the districts of Aclare and Tourlestrane, parish of Kilmactigue, Tubbercurry Union, have signified their willingness to sell the same to the Congested Districts Board; and, if so, whether the Board will press negotiations for purchase, seeing that Kilmactigue is one of the most congested districts in Ireland?

Mr. BIRRELL

None of the farms referred to have been offered for sale to the Congested Districts Board.