asked the Minister for Defence if he will state if the Law Printing Works, Naas, was ejected under ten days' notice in December, 1941, from the premises they occupied in the barracks at Naas; if a very small sum was offered in compensation; and whether, in view of all the circumstances, he will have this sum now increased.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Kildare Printing Works.
The proprietors of the Law Printing Works, Naas, who held under a lease due to expire on 25th December, 1942, a tenancy of two portions of Naas Military Barracks, were informed on 17th October, 1941, that one portion of the premises was urgently required for essential military purposes and that the remainder of the demised buildings would, unless adequately segregated from the barracks, have also to be surrendered to the military authorities. Pursuant to Article 38 of Emergency Powers Order, 1939, possession of the two portions of the barracks was duly taken on 17th November, 1941, and 10th December, 1941, respectively, no steps having meanwhile been taken by the lessees towards the segregation of the second portion of the premises from the barrack buildings.
An offer of an ex-gratia payment, which I regard as reasonable compensation for the pecuniary loss suffered in respect of the increased expenditure incurred in the provision of alternative accommodation for the Law Printing Works was made on 2nd November, 1944, to the lessees' solicitor, but a reply has not since been received. I am not, therefore, aware of any circumstances in which this offer should be increased.
Is the Minister aware that 120 tons of machinery was stopped and household furniture shifted and that the offer by the Minister would not pay for putting these articles outside the barrack gate, much less installing the machinery in alternative premises? The fact that the premises have since been used only for dances does not, I suppose, arise, because the Minister served notice, but I suggest that he should look into the facts, to see what it would cost to instal the machinery in suitable premises, as against the offer made.