asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that the Irish Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust continue to give notice to quit their homes to the children of soldiers and sailors who served in the 1914-18 war, and that six cases of eviction of such families are pending; and, if so, if he will state his attitude in regard to such a policy that deprives Irish citizens of their homes, especially during the present scarcity of alternative accommodation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust Houses.
Mr. A. Byrne
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by me to his question of 19th June last regarding the position of children of deceased tenants of trust houses. The British Parliament recently passed legislation with a view to implementing the agreement referred to in that reply. The agreement, which was the subject of a public announcement on 8th May, 1951, and the legislation do not extend to the children of deceased tenants. In the circumstances I have no further statement to make in the matter.
Mr. A. Byrne
Does not the Minister think that he should be concerned about evictions from these houses when there is no alternative accommodation available? Surely the Minister will make a recommendation to the trustees of the Irish Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust to stop the evictions? The Irish Government surely should have something to say in regard to that matter.
The matter of evictions does not arise here. An agreement was made as between this Government and the British Government and a public announcement of the terms of that agreement was made in May, 1951. Since then the British Parliament has passed legislation embodying the terms of the agreement. Having done so, there is no point now in my protesting or Deputies protesting against the exclusion of some particular class of people.
Mr. A. Byrne
Will the Minister make a recommendation to the trustees that it is not desirable to have wholesale evictions at present when there is no alternative accommodation available for the families of these ex-soldiers?
The Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust people here I am sure are just as anxious as we are not to have to engage in evictions, but I take it that they also are governed by the terms of the agreement and the provisions of the legislation which resulted from that agreement.
The agreement did not provide for evictions.
It provides coverage for the husband and wife but does not make any provision for their families.