asked the Minister for Finance whether he is aware that in connection with decrees for criminal injuries arising from political disturbance on the 15th April, 1918, the Wicklow Urban Council is in debt to the County Council for a sum of £840 10s. 6d.; whether he is aware that the Urban Council could not hope to pay the amount within a reasonable term of years; whether the County Council is not thereby helpless in regard to the recovery of the debt; and whether, in the circumstances, the Government is prepared to accept liability for the debt as a State charge.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - WICKLOW CRIMINAL INJURIES DECREES.
I have been informed that the Wicklow Urban District Council is indebted to the Wicklow County Council in a sum of £840 10s. 6d. stated to have been paid by the latter's treasurer, under compulsion, on foot of three criminal injury awards properly leviable over portion of the Urban District. I am not aware that the Urban Council could not hope to pay this amount within a reasonable term of years, or that the County Council is helpless in regard to the recovery of the debt. The Government is not prepared to accept liability for the debt as a State charge. The injuries in respect of which the decrees were granted occurred on the 15th April, 1918, and the liability for decrees awarded in respect of criminal injuries sustained prior to the 21st January, 1919, rests upon the local authorities. Under the Damage to Property (Compensation) Act, 1923, they were relieved of the liability for injuries sustained subsequent, but not prior to that date.
Can the Minister give any proof as to the statements that the amounts were properly levied over the two wards?
No.
Is he aware that one of the wards has been exempted? There were three defendants from this ward and this should be a national charge considering that one of the defendants rose to be a Major-General in the Republican Army. This was the first blow struck against the British régime in Ireland at the time.