asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state how many cases for compensation in respect of lands acquired for the purposes of the Shannon Scheme are still outstanding in Clare; what is the cause of the delay in the payment of such compensation, and when it is proposed to deal with the cases still outstanding by arbitration or otherwise.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Acquired Lands (Shannon Scheme).
The number of occupiers in County Clare from whom land has been acquired in connection with the Shannon Scheme and with whom compensation has not been agreed is 14. The delay in the payment of compensation is due to the failure to reach agreement as to the amount of compensation demanded. The Chief State Solicitor will, at an early date, communicate on my behalf with each of the occupiers in question with a view to arbitration proceedings.
Mr. P. Hogan (An Clár):
This matter has been hanging fire for a number of years. Will the Minister take a particular interest in the matter and try and have it settled expeditiously?
I am particularly anxious to have all these claims out of the way as quickly as possible, and that is why we are proceeding at once to arbitration.
Is the Minister aware that his predecessor gave a reply to a similar question of mine? He said that he was going to see that there would be arbitration to speed up compensation. Is the Minister aware that these people have already waited five years, and does he not think it is time that the matter should be settled?
The question relates to claims for compensation in respect of lands acquired for the Shannon Scheme, and it was not possible up to this to reach agreement as to the amount of the compensation. It is consequently intended to proceed to arbitration at once, and I will do what I can to expedite that.
These people are quite willing to agree to arbitration.
Mr. Burke
Is the Minister aware that a number of these people are destitute because of the flooding of their lands?
Yes, and that explains my anxiety to get this matter cleared up as quickly as possible.