asked the Minister for Finance whether he can state why subscribers to Dáil Eireann (Internal) Loan, 1920, have repeatedly applied for repayment, giving their registered numbers and other particulars, with no result, except acknowledgment of their application; that lists of subscribers whose names have not heretofore been registered have been compiled in the following places:— Charlestown, Kilmovee, Kilbride, Killasser, Midfield, Cloongullane, Swinford, and other areas throughout East Mayo, with certified statements from the original collectors and other authorised persons attached; and whether the Minister will now state what action he proposes to take in connection with those lists, and with the collection and registration of other subscribers, of whose names there is no mention in the records of the Department of Finance.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DAIL EIREANN (INTERNAL) LOAN.
Applications for repayment in respect of subscriptions to the Dáil Eireann (Internal) Loan are being dealt with as expeditiously as possible, but in view of the fact that a very large number of subscribers failed to apply for repayment until a comparatively recent date a certain amount of delay in dealing with individual cases is inevitable. I am satisfied, however, that there is no undue delay in dealing with cases in which the applicant furnishes particulars corresponding with the particulars recorded in my Department.
As regards the second part of the question, all lists purporting to contain authentic particulars of subscriptions which were not already recorded in the Department of Finance are being carefully examined in conjunction with the corresponding individual applications for repayment. If there are no discrepancies to be reconciled the names of the subscribers are entered in the authentic Register and repayment is duly authorised. I may say, however, that difficulties frequently arise by reason of conflicting particulars being furnished in different lists for the same locality or by reason of the impossibility of reconciling the lists with the individual applications received.
As regards the final part of the question, if a subscriber of whose subscription there is no record in my Department furnishes the name and address of the collector to whom his subscription was paid, application for information is made to that collector.
Is that the statement which the Minister promised at the meeting of the Committee of Procedure and Privileges to issue?
No; I intend to make that statement on Thursday or Friday.