asked the Minister for Lands and Agriculture if decrees are now being enforced on account of fines imposed for non-compliance with the Tillage Orders of the Department; if these fines were imposed by the British courts of law at a time when general instructions were issued that these courts were not to be recognised, and if on this account many of these cases were not defended; if any opportunity was given to the defendants in the cases to defend themselves at a later stage, and if, in view of the whole circumstances of the cases, he will take steps to have the fines remitted or reduced, or, in the alternative, if he will make arrangements for the rehearing of the cases in order that the defendants may have an opportunity of giving evidence in their defence.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DEPARTMENT'S TILLAGE ORDERS—FINES IMPOSED.
Proceedings are now being taken in the courts to obtain the renewal of decrees which had previously been obtained, but not executed, in respect of penalties incurred by occupiers of land who had failed to comply with the Compulsory Tillage Orders and Regulations; these fines were imposed by the Department of Agriculture in virtue of their powers under the Corn Production Act, 1917. Right of appeal from the Department's decision was provided to the Tillage Appeal Tribunal, and the penalty, if any, fixed by the Tribunal was recoverable as a civil debt in the County Court.
With one possible exception, all of these cases were defended in the County Court. It is not proposed at this stage to remit or reduce any penalties imposed, nor to make arrangements to rehear any cases already dealt with.