asked the Minister for Finance if he can state when the Wood-Renton Commission will present its final report and terminate its session.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REPORT OF WOOD-RENTON COMMISSION.
An extension of the Terms of Reference of the Compensation (Ireland) Commission is being drafted, and will be officially presented to the Commission next week. As a period must be allowed within which claims arising out of the extended Terms of Reference may be lodged, it is impossible to state when the Commission will present its final report and terminate its proceedings. It is expected, however, that its labours will be brought to a conclusion in the early part of next year.
Will the Minister circulate the extended Terms of Reference?
They will be gazetted at any rate before the Dáil meets.
I would like to ask the Minister if he is aware that very large numbers of old claims against that Commission have not yet been heard and if these will be dealt with?
I think the outstanding claims mainly consist of those which were outside the old Terms of Reference, and, of course, if they come within the new Terms of Reference they will be dealt with. Some of them have been fully investigated, and I think they can be dealt with immediately, and if they come within the new Terms of Reference the awards will be made.