asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that many persons having pre-Truce property claims are not aware that they need not accept any amount offered by the assessors in settlement of their claims; and whether he will issue public notices giving information as to the right of appeal, and the stage at which appeals may be made against the decisions of the assessors.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ ORAL ANSWERS. ] - PRE-TRUCE COMPENSATION CLAIMS.
I am not aware of any general lack of knowledge on the part of persons having pre-Truce property claims as to their rights when their claims are being examined by the investigators of the Compensation (Ireland) Commission. These investigators do not decide claims, but merely report to the Commission their estimate of what should be awarded as fair and reasonable compensation for the damage sustained.
As the negotiations for settlement are presumably conducted by the claimants through their legal advisers, there would not appear to be any great danger that offers of settlement will be accepted by applicants in ignorance of their right to question the finding of the investigators.
In the circumstances there seems to be no necessity for the issue of public notices for the guidance of such applicants in regard to their undoubted right to submit to the Commission any observations which they may deem necessary before the Commission's final decision is come to.
Will the Minister state at what period during the hearing of the claims will the claimant have the right of appeal against the decision of the assessor?
There is no necessity for an appeal against the assessors. The investigators pursue their investigations up to the point of presenting a report to the Commission, and the Commission decides. The Commission is not bound to accept the opinion of the investigators. The case is still under consideration until the Commission shall have given a final decision.
What I want to know from the Minister is, has not the claimant, if he is not satisfied with the award made by the Commission, the right of appeal?
Oh, no; there is no appeal from an award of the Commission. The Commission has the last word to say upon any claim put before it, and there is no right of appeal from their decision, once given.
I think Mr. Ormsby Gore, in the British House of Commons, made a different statement altogether from what the Minister has stated now?
Well, if the Deputy will forward to me any published statements to that effect, I will go into the matter further; but my information of the proceedings generally is as I have stated.
I will forward you his statement in the matter.