Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 19 Apr 1923

Vol. 3 No. 5

CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PRE-TRUCE COMPENSATION CLAIMS.

SEAN O LAIDHIN

asked the Minister for Finance if he can now add anything further to his reply to Question No. 3 of 15th December, 1922, with particular reference to the following:—

(a) The intention of the Ministry regarding the setting up of a Tribunal to decide on the applications for compensation for personal injuries inflicted by Crown forces previous to the truce, and, in the cases of personal injuries, claims that were not lodged in the County Courts prior to 11th July, 1921, and if he is aware that most of these claims were in respect of men on the run or otherwise.

(b) The payments for awards for like injuries granted to claimants, and, in the event of any considerable time intervening before these can be completed, will the Minister consider the suggestion that he would guarantee the awards by endorsement or by public notice, so that claimants could use them as security in starting some business which their physical disabilities would permit them to carry on, or with a view to ensuring, in the final financial adjustments between Great Britain and Saorstát Eireann, that the Irish Exchequer be credited with the total amount, so that the victims might be compensated subsequently.

The PRESIDENT

A Committee known as the Compensation (Personal Injuries) Committee has been set up which will hear and adjudicate upon claims of the nature indicated in the first part of the question. The following gentlemen have kindly consented to act on the Committee:—

His Honour Judge Johnston, K.C., Chairman.

Dr. Thomas Hennessy.

Dr. Henry Kennedy.

It is proposed to issue, in the course of a few days, a public notice indicating what claims will be entertained by the Committee and the procedure to be followed by intending applicants for compensation.

In reply to the second part of the question, the Government of Saorstát Eireann is responsible for the payment of decrees awarded in respect of injuries sustained by active supporters of the Irish side in the late Anglo-Irish conflict, where the injuries were received between the 21st January, 1919, and 11th July, 1921. When, on investigation, the Minister for Finance is satisfied that the persons so injured were active supporters of the Irish side, public notice of his intention to pay the full amount of the decrees is published in the "Iris Oifigiuil," and a general notice published the following day in the Press.

Where the persons injured are proved to have been neutral in the late Anglo-Irish conflict, payment of the amount of the decrees will be shared equally by the Governments of Saorstát Eireann and Great Britain. The final arrangements with the British Government in regard to such cases are now in course of completion. The British Government is entirely responsible for the payment of compensation to its own supporters in respect of injuries sustained within the above-mentioned period.

Mr. LYONS

Will the Minister give an assurance to those people who have obtained claims and who have not yet been paid that a grant in advance will be given to them, to enable them to start some business as a means of making a livelihood? Some of them are in a very bad way at present and need some assistance.

The PRESIDENT

I should say that in the course of three months all those cases should have been heard and disposed of by this body which we have set up. If the proposal mentioned by the Deputy were to be entertained it would mean the setting up of another body to see whether any such sum should be paid in advance or not, and I do not know that that would be satisfactory. I believe that within three months we will be able to finish all these cases.

Mr. LYONS

That is satisfactory.