asked the Minister for Home Affairs whether a decision as regards the allocation of monies realised by the sale of trespassing stock seized before the enactment of the Public Safety Act, 1923, has as yet been reached by the Minister, and whether, in view of the indigent circumstances of most of the offenders, and the practical amnesty granted by the Government for even more serious offences against the State, the Minister will, as an act of grace, grant compensation to the persons whose stock has been seized, based on the fair value of the stock.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - CLAIMS BY OWNERS OF SEIZED STOCK.
Many claims have been received both from the owners of stock seized and from the owners of land who were deprived of its use for long periods, for compensation out of the proceeds of these seizures. A final decision can not be reached as to the manner in which this money will be allocated until the claims of all innocent persons have been considered and dealt with. The question of granting compensation over and above the amount of the fund available cannot be considered, and no charge will be placed on public funds to compensate persons whose cattle were seized while engaged in illegally occupying the lands of others.
Arising out of that reply, could the Minister explain the differentiation in the case of these poor people, who had been more or less the victim of circumstances, and the practical immunity of the chiefs of this species of anarchy, men who by subverting the moral instincts of the people, put the Ten Commandments on the run?