asked the Minister for Finance if he will state why compensation was withheld from Mr. Austin Quigley, Killaspuglinane, Ennistymon, Co. Clare, in respect of injuries sustained by his wife on the occasion of a raid by English military during the Anglo-Irish war, and what investigations were made by his department in respect of this case, and why no examination was made medically of Mrs. Quigley, nor no evidence taken locally touching the circumstaneces of the case, and if he is prepared to have the case re-opened and local evidence taken on the matter.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - ENNISTYMON COMPENSATION CLAIM.
I have nothing to add to the information already supplied to the Deputy to the effect that there is no trace of the receipt by my Department or by the Compensation (Personal Injuries) Committee of an application by or on behalf of the person named for compensation in respect of injuries stated to have been sustained by his wife. The Committee has long since ceased to function, and applications for compensation in respect of personal injuries cannot now be entertained.
Is the Minister not aware that certain correspondence was mislaid or lost in divers fashions during that period? The applicant alleges that such a thing happened to his correspondence, and he has produced fairly reliable evidence to show that his application was despatched to the Commission.
The Commission is now dissolved, and I do not think it would be practicable to reconstitute it.
Has the Minister any discretion in these cases?
I have not exercised any discretion, and I would not care to exercise discretion. It would be impossible for me, except by reconstituting the tribunal, to assess compensation.