asked the Minister for Finance whether in view of the result in a recent case of conspiracy, intimidation and destruction of property in the Central Criminal Court in the matter of certain Bass raids, he will undertake that the compensation payable for property damaged and destroyed in the case of Bass raids will be payable out of the Central Fund and not levied on local authorities.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bass Raids.
I have no information regarding the matter mentioned in the first part of the question beyond what I have read in the newspapers. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
The Minister has read the newspapers and, if he has, he would have seen that these Bass raids were referred to in the judge's charge as incidents in the economic war. Are we to take it then, and is the country generally to take it, that these Bass raids are quite in accordance with the best Government policy?
Is that an incitement to Bass raiders?
Ask the judge.
In cases where damage to property is done under the orders of an organisation, has the Minister or the Government as a whole considered the question of making the funds of such organisation liable for damage?
That is quite another question.