asked the Minister for Finance whether in view of the hardship caused to people who still hold Dáil Éireann Bonds he will consider introducing amending legislation to enable the Bonds to be cashed.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Dáil Éireann Bonds.
13.
Legislation passed by the Oireachtas, after full consideration, fixed the latest dates for applying for refunds of subscriptions to the loans floated under the authority of the First and Second Dáil as 31 March, 1934, in the case of the internal loan and as 30 June, 1936, in the case of the external loans. These dates, which were given the requisite publicity in Ireland and the U.S.A., represented considerable extensions of the final dates originally fixed and gave ample opportunity of claiming to the original subscribers or their legal representatives.
In these circumstances I cannot accept the suggestion that hardship is caused by adherence to the statutory bar against late claims and I am not prepared to introduce amending legislation.
Could the Minister give us an idea of approximately how many bonds were not cashed?
That is a separate question.
I do not know.
Arising out of that reply, could the Minister explain to the House if it was lawful and just to pay cash for these bonds during the short period of two years——
While the Irish Press had established itself.
In view of the fact that many people who held these bonds were scattered all over the world they did not know this legislation was passed.
It is not correct to say two years.
Would the Minister direct this question to the Controlling Director of the Irish Press——
Order! That does not arise out of the question.
How much did the Irish Press get out of it?
Will the Deputy stop that dirt?
I will not stop it.
They got nearly £250,000 out of it.
And one man put it into his own name.
They made a "go" of it.
Jobs for the boys.
They put Fine Gael out anyway.
Get rich quick.
Would Deputy Lynch please observe the rules of procedure?
The Minister is unable to do that.
Order!