asked the Minister for Finance whether he will state the amount of the Sinn Féin funds prior to the court proceedings in 1947, the amount spent on these proceedings, and the amount now remaining in the funds.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Sinn Féin Funds.
The only proceedings in regard to the Sinn Féin funds in the year 1947 were those connected with the application to have the action dismissed pursuant to Section 10 of the Sinn Féin Funds Act, 1947. The funds amounted to £21,917 15s. 4d. prior to these proceedings. The funds in court at present amount to £19,791 5s. 10d.
The plaintiff's costs in the 1947 proceedings amounted to £830 15s. 6d. and were paid by the Minister for Finance out of the Law Charges Vote together with the Attorney-General's outlay.
The action, Buckley and Others v. the Attorney-General and Another, commenced in 1942 and was at hearing in the High Court between the 18th March, 1948, and the 19th November, 1948. The costs of this action have not yet been taxed but payments on account totalling £5,333 6s. 8d. have already been made out of the funds.
He did well out of it.
It is no wonder that we have a lawyers' Government.
With a few gombeen men thrown in.
You had a lawyer judge to put behaviour on you.
Will the Minister say if the Government has given any consideration to any scheme for the utili-sation of these funds?
No, we are not going to act unconstitutionally. If any other person will fight and beat the Government on a constitutional issue it will be good money well spent to get that issue clarified.
Does the Minister's reply indicate the cost to the taxpayer of an illegal act of the last Government?
It does not arise on this matter.