asked the Minister for Finance if he has received repeated applications from J. Colgan, Stradbally, Leix, for the return of a gun valued £25, taken from him by members of the Irish Volunteers at Stradbally, on September 26th, 1921, and if he is now in a position to trace and return it to its owner, or state what amount he is prepared to pay as compensation for loss of same.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - LEIX MEN'S GUNS.
The applicant's claim was received by my Department some time ago from the Department of Defence, and has been referred to the Claims Committee set up under the Indemnity Act. It is understood that the claim is at present under investigation and that the Committee's recommendation may be expected at an early date.
asked the Minister for Finance if he has received an application from Edward Davin, Clonmeen, Errill, Ballybrophy, Leix, for the return of a gun, valued £15, taken from him by members of the Irish Volunteers in February, 1920; if he is now in a position to trace and return it to its owner, or state what amount he is prepared to pay as compensation for loss of same.
The present position of this claim is the same as that of the claim referred to in the preceding question.
asked the Minister for Finance if he has received repeated applications from Mr. J. Robson, Meelick, Portlaoighise, Leix, for the return of a double-barrelled breech-loading shot gun, which was taken from him in October, 1921, by members of the Irish Volunteers; if he has succeeded in tracing same, and when it will be returned to the owner, or if he can state what compensation he is prepared to pay failing his being able to trace and return the gun.
The reply is the same as to the last two questions.
In view of the fact that a similar answer was given over 12 months ago, will the Minister see that the work of the Committee is hurried up, so that some decision of some kind is come to in the matter, especially as, in the case referred to in No. 2, the gun taken from the individual has been the means of earning a living for the individual concerned?
I am not sure that the Committee was set up last year, but some progress has been made anyhow.
The same answer was given on the 7th March, 1924.