asked the President if he is aware that considerable confusion exists as to the steps necessary for the recovery of guns taken by the R.I.C. in the pre-truce period; whether he would formulate detailed instructions to guide the public in the matter and thus relieve Deputies of a considerable burden.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - GUNS SEIZED PRE-TRUCE.
Persons who surrendered arms and ammunition to the authorities under the British regime should address their applications for the return of their property to the Chief Ordnance Officer, Island Bridge Barracks, Dublin. He will take all the necessary steps in the matter.
Do I understand the President to say that the people concerned have nothing to do except to make application to the officer referred to in the answer?
I should say that they would have a little more to do than that. I fear that what has happened is this, that very large quantities of munitions are there. Some of them can be identified by tags and so on and some of them, I think, will be very difficult to identify, but, as far as Deputies are concerned, the most satisfactory way is to get application made to the officer at Island Bridge Barracks, and every effort will be made to expedite their return. I do not mean that the Deputy should infer from that that they will be returned without delay, but I do wish to give the information that that is the most satisfactory way at present for dealing with the matter.
Will Deputies be allowed to go down to Island Bridge Barracks to recover their own property?
I am afraid there would be some risk in that.
Will the President undertake to expedite the decision as to the Government's attitude in the case of guns that have been taken and that cannot be returned, and also regarding the question of compensation? Hundreds of cases have come under my notice where guns have been taken by parties representing themselves as members of the I.R.A., in which receipts are held.
That is a different question.