asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state for each year since the commencement of work on the Shannon Electricity Scheme (a) the number and total amount of claims received from persons resident in County Clare for compensation for lands or premises compulsorily acquired under the Shannon Electricity Act, 1925; (b) the number and total amount of such claims paid; and (c) the number of such claims referred to arbitrators appointed under Section 6 of the Shannon Electricity Act, 1925.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compulsory Acquisition of Land (Shannon Scheme).
Information is not available in the precise form asked for, but the following represents the position in County Clare.
Notices of acquisition of land or premises have been served on 96 occupiers other than public bodies. Agreements as to compensation have already been reached with 60 occupiers, involving lump sum payments amounting to £37,200, and rentals amounting to £767 per annum for land acquired temporarily. Payment has actually been made to 43 occupiers of a total lump sum of £30,998, and annual rentals of £606; payment will be made in the other cases in which agreements have been reached when the occupiers concerned have made proof of title. In sixteen of the thirty-six cases in which agreements have not yet been reached notices were not served until recently; negotiations have been begun in the remainder, and I understand that six are on the point of settlement. I have no doubt that the others will be disposed of by agreement in due course. No case for the reference of any claim to arbitration has yet arisen, nor is there any reason to anticipate that any procedure will be necessary other than settlement by agreement, which has already proved satisfactory in all cases negotiated.