asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that numerous claims have been submitted to the Board of Works and Military Authorities arising out of the commandeering of private property for military purposes, for rent, damage to, and in some cases destruction of such property during the period of occupation; whether or not and to what extent such claims have been dealt with and passed for payment, whether payment in such cases as have been dealt with and passed is being held up owing to the failure of the Ministry of Finance to give the necessary sanction or authority, and if in view of many urgent claims now long overdue, he will sanction payment of all claims already dealt with, and expedite payment or clearance of all outstanding cases?
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - COMMANDEERING OF PROPERTY.
A large number of claims in respect of the commandeering of private property for military purposes have been received and are being examined. The process of examination takes a considerable time as in many instances the actual facts are obscure. Moreover, the decision to be taken in a considerable proportion of cases will be affected by the final form in which the Damage to Property (Compensation) Bill emerges from the Oireachtas. In the meantime investigation into cases is, as far as possible, being carried out by the Ministry of Defence and the Office of Public Works.
Is it not correct to say that the claims that have already been investigated and passed by the Board of Works and the Military, are being held up owing to the fact that the Minister for Finance has not given the necessary authority to pay out the money?
I would like to get particulars of these cases. I will go into them at once if I get the particulars.
I asked was it a fact?
Not that I am aware of.