asked the Minister for Justice if he intends opening a fund to compensate people injured in bomb explosions within the State.
20.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation for Bombing Victims.
19.
asked the Minister for Justice if compensation will be paid to the relatives of those who were killed in bomb blasts.
21.
asked the Minister for Justice if he has any proposals to transfer liability for malicious damage payments from the rates to central funds; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
22.
asked the Minister for Justice if the Government will pay adequate compensation to persons in Belturbet, County Cavan, whose houses, businesses and cars were damaged in the bomb explosions which occurred in that town; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I propose, with your permission a Cheann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 19, 20, 21 and 22 together.
My predecessor announced in the Dáil on 13th December, 1972, that a scheme would be drawn up under which persons who have suffered substantial personal injury and dependants of persons killed in such incidents would be enabled to obtain compensation from State funds. He also said that the question of amending the existing law relating to compensation for malicious damage to property was being further examined. I have not yet had an opportunity of consulting my colleagues in the Government about this whole subject but I hope to do so in the near future following which I would propose to make an appropriate announcement.
Does the Minister not consider that this is an urgent matter? As he is probably aware, people have lost limbs and have lost employment. Does he realise that this is something that should be treated as urgent?
I am well aware, from my examination of the problem, that the matter is of considerable urgency and the Deputy can be assured that it will have priority.
Is the Minister aware that people in Belturbet have left because they have not got the capital to restock their busineses?
I am not so aware.
The answer the Minister gave was principally concerned with the other questions, on which a statement has already been made. Would the Minister like to make a fuller statement on compensation for damage to property?
I am not prepared to make any fuller statement at the moment. There is already provision for compensation for malicious damage to property.