Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 7 May 1997

Vol. 478 No. 7

Written Answers - Departmental Correspondence.

Seamus Brennan

Question:

46 Mr. S. Brennan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the current situation regarding a claim by an Irish citizen (details supplied) in Dublin 16 who was unable to return to a teaching post in Kuwait during the Gulf War; whether the United Nations claim form, category C, which was completed by the person, was mislaid by his Department some months later; whether a second claim form was completed; whether seven years later, the claim has not been pursued or settled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12161/97]

The Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Spring)

I refer the Deputy to my reply on 16 April to Question No. 38.

I confirm that this person's original claim form was mislaid in my Department after it was received in April 1992. The claimant was informed about this by letter of 2 October 1992, the Department expressed its regret to him for what had occurred and he immediately completed and submitted a new claim form.

This claim was sent to the United Nations Compensation Commission in Geneva with other category C claims and was not disadvantaged in any way. Settlement of all category C claims has been delayed because of the non-availability until this year of funds to meet them.