asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware that a large number of people were seriously injured in a fire at Ballyboy Hall, Kilcormac, County Offaly, in December, 1967; that there are a large number of civil claims involved; and if, in view of the serious nature of the whole matter, his Department will consider making a contribution towards the legal expenses involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Offaly Fire Claims.
51.
There are no funds available to my Department from which such a contribution could be made.
I presume the Minister is aware of this situation and that there are quite a large number of claims, some of which have reached hearing and about eight of which are still pending. The people involved, the defendants, in these matters, are faced with really substantial claims. Would the Minister not consider that in this instance some special fund, a grant-inaid or such like, should be favourably considered for this very deserving case?
While I have every sympathy with the victims of this particular incident, I do not think I could recommend to the Government that the State should initiate a compensation fund for fire accident victims when such eventuality can be guarded against by insurance.
The Minister is aware that there is a fund in relation to motor insurance so that a person injured by a car driven by an uninsured person can claim under a motor insurers' bureau? Would the Minister not envisage such a scheme in relation to this matter because the claims here are very substantial and a scheme such as the motor insurers' bureau——
This is a very long question.
——would meet the situation?
I do not think the two situations are analogous. I understand that the motor insurers' bureau provides cover where for some technical reason an existing policy has become invalid. In relation to this particular instance I understand that there was no cover of the hall and that sort of situation is not met by the motor insurers' bureau.
I do not think that is quite correct. As far as I am aware there was an insurance policy.
The Deputy must ask a specific question.
If the Minister is furnished with a copy of this insurance policy would he study it and, if necessary, communicate with the Department of Industry and Commerce as it may come under the aegis of that Department as well as of Justice?
I do not think it would be a function of my Department. Essentially it seems to be a civil matter between the company and their insurer as to the interpretation of that policy if, in fact, such a policy existed.