§ Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland when the proposed sale of the Fetherstone, county Longford, estate will be completed; whether he is aware that the estate was sold nearly ten years ago to the tenants, who have since then been paying what practically amounts to rent to the landlord; whether the order of priority extending to all cash sales will be relaxed in such case to enable the 1758W tenants to begin the paying off of the loan; and will he inquire what can be done to expedite the completion of this sale?
§ Mr. DUKEPurchase agreements for the direct sale of this estate were lodged with the Estates Commissioners in May, 1908. It will be dealt with in its order of priority. The Commissioners have no power to deal with an estate out of its turn, and they are unable to say when any estate may be reached. When reached, this estate will be dealt with as rapidly as possible. In accordance with their purchase agreements the tenants are paying interest in lieu of rent at the rate of 3½ per cent, on the purchase money, which gives them a substantial reduction in their rents.
§ Mr. FARRELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether the sale of the Irwin estate, county Longford, has been fully concluded; whether he is aware that Patrick Cahill, of Aghagreagh, has been shut out from this sale because he would not agree to the taking away of his turbary rights; whether he is aware that in the end Cahill agreed and wrote signifying his intention, but the letter was not dealt with in time by the Commissioners; and whether he will, in the interests of peace, now direct the Commissioners to admit this man to the same terms of sale as the other tenants enjoy and. as he is the only tenant left unsold, to pass his agreement?
§ Mr. DUKEThe sale of this estate has been completed. Patrick Cahill refused to concur in the necessary arrangements for the allotment of turbary, and the proposed agreements for the purchase of his holdings were, therefore, not carried out. There is no power to revive the agreements. But if Cahill enters into fresh agreements under the Irish Land Act, 1909, to purchase his holdings and the bog allotment, the Estates Commissioners will be prepared to vest the lands in him.