asked the Minister for Finance whether, as no steps have been taken towards the repayment to persons in South Kerry who subscribed to the Dáil Loan and who have no receipts, he will set up a Court of Inquiry to consider the claims of such persons, with powers to compel witnesses to attend and give evidence where required.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - DAIL EIREANN LOAN.
There is no foundation for the implication contained in the first part of the Deputy's question. Repayment has been authorised to more than 200 subscribers in the South Kerry area, and of these it is estimated that at least 90 per cent. were not in a position to produce receipts for their subscriptions.
In respect of the subscriptions transmitted to the Dáil Department of Finance by certain authorised collectors in this area, the names and addresses of the subscribers were not furnished, and efforts which have been made by my Department to obtain such particulars have hitherto been unsuccessful. The lists which it has been possible to obtain are being examined in conjunction with all other available evidence, and where the evidence is satisfactory the subscribers will be repaid in due course.
As I indicated in my statement on this subject on the 22nd ultimo, I do not consider that it is at present necessary to establish a tribunal to deal with the claims in any particular category. The existing machinery appears to be sufficient, but if it should ultimately be found necessary to take any special steps I shall not hesitate to make such arrangements as the circumstances seem to require.
Mr. O'REILLY
Is the Minister aware that a large number of subscribers in South Kerry are still unpaid?
I know that a large number in South Kerry have not been paid. There are more difficulties in connection with repayment in County Kerry than in any other area.