asked the Minister for Transport and Power what is the present position regarding compensation payable to landowners for land used in the building of the new railway at Silvermines, County Tipperary; and what amount of compensation is to be paid.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - County Tipperary Land Compensation.
2.
I have been informed by CIE that the present position regarding compensation payable for land used in the building of the new railway at Silvermines, County Tipperary, is that the Board has not yet received all the claims from the persons upon whom Notices to Treat were served. Notwithstanding this, the Board is dealing with all claims which have been lodged to date and the relevant papers are at present in the hands of the Board's valuer for the purpose of considering the claims which have been lodged. On hearing from the Board's valuer in the matter, the Board expects to be in a position to open negotiations with the claimants regarding the amount of compensation to be paid.
The amount of compensation is a matter for negotiation between the Board and the claimants in the first instance and failing agreement in any case the amount of compensation in such case will be determined by arbitration under and in accordance with the Acquisition of Land (Assessment of Compensation) Act, 1919.
Under the provision of the relevant Railway Works Order the Board is obliged, where it has entered and taken possession of land being compulsorily acquired before ascertainment of the compensation for the land, to pay to the occupier of the land interest on the amount of the compensation at the rate of three per cent per annum from the date of entry until payment of the compensation.