asked the Minister for Finance if he can state the number of containers, boxes or objects left for safe keeping in the custody of banks in Eire which have lain unclaimed for the past 50 years or more and the owners of which are unknown or cannot be traced; and further if the disposal of these assets is dealt with in the same manner as are unclaimed bank balances.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Disposal of Deposits.
I have no information regarding either part of the question, but I might point out that articles deposited with the banks for safe keeping are private property and, no matter how long they may lie unclaimed, the banks remain liable to deliver them up if valid claims should at any time be established.
Could the Minister state if those boxes contain any Wicklow gold?
I think that is a separate question.