§ Mr. JOHN ROCHEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether he is aware that agreements to purchase their holdings were signed by the tenants on the estate of Colonel Woodmartin, situate at Esker, near Castleblakeny, county Galway, so long ago as 1908; is he aware that the estate is in a congested state, comprising sixteen tenants, who are looking forward anxiously to the allocation of the grazing farm included in the estate amongst them; and whether, having regard to the urgency of doing something to relieve these poor tenants, he will communicate with the Estates Commissioners and request them to deal with the estate at once?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThis estate is the subject of proceedings for sale direct by the owner to the tenants under the Irish Land Act, 1903. The purchase agreements were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in October, 1908. The estate is on the principal register of direct sales (all cash) and will be dealt with in order of priority, but having regard to the claims of other estates the Commissioners are not at present in a position to say when it will be reached.