asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that portion of the decrees obtained by Mr. J.J. Fox and other residents of Rosslea, Clones, who were the victims of the Rosslea burnings in February, 1921, has not yet been paid, and if he will state when that portion of the decrees levied against County Monaghan will be paid.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ROSSLEA BURNINGS—PAYMENT OF DECREES.
In the specific case mentioned by the Deputy, the actual damage to property occurred in Northern Ireland. A decree was granted by the County Court Judge of the County of Fermanagh, which was levied in part on the County of Monaghan. The general question of the action to be taken in this and many similar cases, is still the subject of negotiation with the British Government, and until the general question has been decided, no payment can be made by the Saorstát.
Is the Minister aware that his Private Secretary, on the 22nd February, told the applicant that it was expected that the matter would be settled before the 31st March, and that it would be possible then to pay the claims? When will payment actually be made?
If the statement to which the Deputy refers was made, it was probably made as a result of my statement to a Deputy, that we had made an alternative offer to the British Government for a settlement. The position now is that these two bases on which we are prepared to effect a settlement, have been submitted to the British Government. They have not yet come to a decision in the matter.
When the Minister says many other cases, does he mean to include cases where property was destroyed on residents in Northern Ireland, and where these residents failed to obtain compensation from the Northern Government?
No, because I was referring to cases where damage occurred in Northern Ireland or in the Free State, and where the decrees were levied on areas on both sides of where the Border now is.