asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if any steps have been or will be taken to compensate traders in Dublin following the loss sustained by them as a result of having cashed certain money orders issued by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cashing of Money Orders.
The answer to the Deputy's question is in the negative. Money orders are not negotiable, as is clearly indicated on their face, and traders who cash them for customers do so at their own risk.
Does the Minister consider he is justified in not compensating traders or others for the cashing of these orders where errors or duplications occur in connection with the money orders issued?
The legal decision in the recent case of James Synott versus the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs confirms the Department's attitude in this matter. The Deputy will appreciate my difficulty in paying out public money without proper authorisation.
But when a money order is issued with proper authorisation and it is duplicated, or an error of any kind occurs, due to the Minister's Department, does he not consider that the trader or others concerned should be compensated?
Where an error is made by us, but in this particular case the error was not made by us.
I addressed a letter to the Minister some time ago in connection with a postal order and he maintained on it the position he is taking up now.
There was no error on our part in that case.
Is a duplication not an error?