I move that the Bill be now read a Second Time. This is a renewal Bill. When the 1940 Bill was introduced it was contemplated as a permanent Act. When it came before the Dáil, however, the Labour Party objected and since then we have to bring it in annually. Property forfeited under the Act up to the present includes one sum of 20,000 U.S.A. dollars; one sum of £100; one sum of 100 dollars; smaller sums amounting in all to about £160, and eight motor cars. The miscellaneous articles included four wireless sets, duplicating machines and some typewriters. The Act gives any aggrieved owner a right to apply to the High Court for the restoration of property alleged to have been wrongly forfeited, but no such application has been made in any case up to the present.
Committee on Finance. - Offences Against the State (Forfeiture) Bill, 1942—Second and Subsequent Stages.
Minister for Justice (Mr. Boland)
Has the Minister any information as to what happened to the motor cars?
Mr. Boland
The eight motor cars were seized in raids. Some of them were found outside houses that were being raided. I do not think there was any case within the last year. It is believed that these cars belonged to an illegal organisation. The owners have never turned up.
The cars were never applied for?
Mr. Boland
No, they were forfeited, and in the usual course were, I suppose, sold by public auction. The money was never claimed.
Were the wireless sets, transmitting or receiving sets?
Mr. Boland
I think one or two were transmitting sets. We got one two years ago that was broadcasting a lot. Then we got a second one. There were two transmitting sets, as far as I remember now.
You will not use them during the general election?
Mr. Boland
Not that particular set, anyway. We may have some others.