§ Mr. O'LEARYasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the Estates Commissioners, since they took over the Edinburgh Life Office estate in Rossbrin, near 1663W Schull, county Cork, proposed to exchange certain fields between the holdings now occupied by Stephen Brien and Patrick Brien and to carry out certain improvements in the buildings situated on both holdings; and whether they have now refused to carry out the proposed exchange and the proposed improvements notwithstanding that the present occupying tenants are anxious for them?
§ Mr. DUKEWhen the Estates Commissioners were preparing their rearrangement scheme for this estate the two tenants mentioned were asked to consent to a rearrangement of their holdings, but they refused. The Commissioners did not sanction any expenditure in respect of improvements in these cases, and they do not propose to do so.
§ Mr. O'LEARYasked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland if he will state why the Edinburgh Life Office estate, situated in Rossbrin, and adjoining townlands in the electoral division of Ballydehob, in the union of Schull, in respect of which agreements to purchase their holdings were signed by the tenants in May, 1905,"and in respect of which the landlords were paid the purchase money three or four years ago, and on which all improvements proposed to be carried out by the Estates Commissioners were executed two years ago, has not yet been vested in the purchasing tenants; and can he explain the reason of the delay and the object of compelling the tenants to pay the higher rate of interest which the non-vesting of their holdings involves?
§ Mr. DUKEThis estate has not yet been reached in its order for the purpose of vesting the holdings in the purchasing tenants, and the tenants are liable under their purchase undertakings to pay the minimum rate of interest prescribed by Section 18 (1) of the Irish Land Act, 1903. The holdings will be vested with as little delay as possible.