Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 26 Mar 1958

Vol. 166 No. 8

Committee on Finance. - Vote 23—Miscellaneous Expenses.

Minister for Health (Mr. MacEntee)

I move:—

That a supplementary sum not exceeding £200 be granted to defray the Charge which will come in course of payment during the year ending on the 31st day of March, 1958, for certain Miscellaneous Expenses, including certain Grants-in-Aid, Compensation and other Payments in connection with Injuries to Property (No. 24 of 1941) and payments of Compensation for Death or Personal Injuries.

The purpose of this Supplementary Estimate is to provide an additional sum of £300 for travelling expenses and subsistence allowance payable to the official arbitrator appointed under the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919, as amended.

Mr. Sweetman

Might I mention two points, both of which hang together to some degree? I want to put it to the Minister briefly, because candidly, I am not quite clear whether I am in order on a Supplementary Estimate in doing so, that that does not comply with the law. The law is that there shall be a panel of official arbitrators and one person does not constitute a panel.

Mr. MacEntee

Is that a decided case?

Mr. Sweetman

If the Minister looks at the decided cases he will find that I am correct. That comment is necessary to deal with the point which is germane to this Supplementary Estimate, namely, that the effect of that is that there is some pretty substantial delay because of the inability of one official arbitrator being unable to get around to dealing with all the cases that are put to him. That is not his fault. There appears to be more work to be done than can be done by one person. If we had a panel of at least two arbitrators, it would be more feasible for them to arrange their sittings without quite the same amount of travelling and therefore this Suplementary Estimate might not be necessary again. I suggest that the possibility of its not being necessary is sufficient to make my remark relevant. I suggest to the Minister that before we come to the main Estimate he should consider the point as to whether or not it is correct to have only one person on the panel. The purpose of the Act was clearly to have a panel from which there might be some selection. Obviously, if there is only one there can be no selection. In addition to that there is, as I am personally aware, congestion at the moment.

Mr. MacEntee

I shall mention these matters to the Minister for Finance. I am perfectly certain he will take advice in regard to that and will no doubt be able to discuss it on the main Estimate in due course.

Vote put and agreed to.

Supplementary Estimate reported and agreed to.