asked the Minister for Fisheries whether the Land Commissioners will review the case of Thomas Mulvey, of Drumkeelanbeg, Drumshambo, County Leitrim, who entered into an agreement to purchase his farm from the Land Commission under the Land Acts, and now to agree that the arrears of rent be included in the purchase price, and be treated as compounded arrears in fixing the annuity.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CO. LEITRIM AGREEMENT.
Thomas Mulvey holds a farm of 52a. 2r. 24p. in the townland of Drumkeelan, County Leitrim, from A. McDermott under a fee-farm grant dated 13th December, 1905, at a yearly rent of £15. Mr. McDermott's estate comprises three tenancies for which a rental schedule has been lodged in the Land Commission to enable the Commissioners to collect from the tenants compounded arrears of rent and payment in lieu of rent under the Land Act, 1923, but Thomas Mulvey's holding is not included therein, as the lands being held by him under a fee-farm grant are "untenanted lands" as defined by the Act. As they are situate in a congested districts county, they will vest in the Land Commission as untenanted land on the appointed day (unless they come within the exceptions mentioned in Section 24 of the Act), but they may under Section 32 of that Act be resold to him. The proper course for Thomas Mulvey as owner is to lodge in the Land Commission particulars of the lands as prescribed by Order VIII. of the Rules of the Land Commission dated 5th February, 1924, and in regard to this it is desirable that he should consult a solicitor. There is no power to add the arrears of rent due by an owner of untenanted lands to the purchase money thereof.