Vol. 70 No. 9
I move:—
Go ndeontar suim ná raghaidh thar £2,359 chun slánuithe ná suime is gá chun íoctha an Mhuirir a thiocfaidh chun bheith iníoctha i rith ná bliana dar críoch an 31adh lá de Mhárta, 1939, chun Tuarastail agus Costaisí Oifig an tSaor-Chíosa.
That a sum not exceeding £2,359 be granted to complete the sum necessary to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1939, for the Salaries and Expenses of the Quit Rent Office.
Would the Minister tell us what exactly are the functions of the Quit Rent Office? We have 12 officers there, costing a sum of approximately £4,000. Would the Minister tell us what their functions are, and what exactly the Quit Rent Office is?
I believe I have on two occasions already given a definition. The Quit Rent Office, subject to the general control of the Department of Finance, deals with the management of all former Crown property—including the rents which I defined last year — which was transferred to Saorstát Eireann by virtue of Article 11 of the Constitution, 1922. Upon it devolves the safeguarding of State interests in all Land Purchase and Registration of Title proceedings, and the examination of Private Bills from this aspect; the apportioning of quit rents when necessary; the ascertaining and asserting of State title to lands, beds and shores of inland loughs — a service of increasing importance — fisheries and other matters; and the responsibility for certain foreshores formerly controlled by the Office of Woods. Since the burning of the Record Office and the destruction therein of so many records, the importance of the Quit Rent Office as an office of record has grown considerably, and references to it arising out of legal and other proceedings and in connection with questions of title and pedigrees have greatly increased. The Office also acts in an advisory capacity to the Transport and Marine Branch of the Department of Industry and Commerce in connection with the administration of foreshores. From April, 1923, to December, 1934, the Quit Rent Office performed work in connection with foreshores for the Department of Industry and Commerce. This work comprised investigation of title to foreshore, preparation and examination of maps, plans and leases, etcetera, and was additional to that done for the Board of Trade — now done for the Department of Industry and Commerce—as part of the ordinary functions of the Office. The accounts work of the Office is performed by the Office of the Minister for Finance.
Well, I am sure the Parliamentary Secretary will not blame me if I forget it even by this time 12 months again.
I did not hear what the Deputy said, but I shall read it in the Report of the Proceedings, and no doubt shall smile at it then.
