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Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 24 Mar 1943

Vol. 89 No. 11

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dublin Bombing Fatality.

Mr. Byrne

asked the Minister for Finance if he will cause the claim of Mr. Patrick Boyle, 47 Dargle Road. Cabra, to be reinvestigated; if he is aware that Mr. Boyle's wife was killed in her residence, 157 North Strand Road, when her home was demolished by the bombing on the night of 31st May, 1941; if he is aware that Mr. Boyle paid 10/- per week for 18 months for the nursing of the ten-months-old baby deprived of its mother, and if he will state why Mr. Boyle has not received these expenses or compensation for the loss of his wife.

Mr. Boland

The case referred to in the Deputy's question has already been fully investigated, and reinvestigation would serve no useful purpose. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. As regards the third part, the relevant Personal Injuries Scheme provides for compensation for those dependent upon persons injured or killed as a result of bombing and kindred incidents, but does not make provision for consequential expenditure such as that referred to by the Deputy. The investigations made in the case show that Mr. Boyle was not dependent upon his wife within the meaning of the scheme and no compensation in respect of her death can be paid to him.

Mr. Byrne

Am I to understand from the Minister that he approves of the decision that no compensation is to be given to a man whose wife was killed by bombing, and who had to find another parent to take charge of his ten-months-old baby?

A Minister may not be asked for an expression of opinion.

Mr. Byrne

Then I ask him whether or not a man whose wife is killed by bombing—a man who loses his wife as a housekeeper and loses her companionship, and whose baby loses its mother—is entitled to some compensation from this State?

Mr. Boland

The fact is that in those cases only financial dependence is considered. I do not think anything would compensate a person for the other kind of loss. I have never heard of an attempt being made anywhere to compensate a person for that loss. Only financial dependence is considered in those cases, and the Deputy is well aware of that.

Mr. Byrne

Is the Minister aware that, quite recently, a case was decided in England where a woman was killed by a motor car, and her husband got £2,500 compensation for the losses which I have mentioned—motherhood, companionship and the loss of her as a housekeeper? Surely those things are worthy of some consideration, and Mr. Boyle ought to get some fair play from the Government.

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