asked the President whether the Report of the Committee on the grievances of British ex-Servicemen had been considered by the Executive Council; and, if so, whether any representations have been made to the British Government on the subject referred to therein, especially on the subject of rents and housing.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British ex-Servicemen.
The Report of the Committee on claims of British ex-Servicemen covers a wide field and deals with a variety of subjects upon which complaints have been made. Some of these complaints have been made against the Government here; but it would appear from the Report that, in the opinion of the Committee, the more important claims have reference to matters, such as the provision of houses under the Irish Sailors' and Soldiers' Land Trust and the rents charged thereon, with which the British Government are mainly concerned. Many of these matters have already formed the subject of correspondence with that Government, and copies of the present Report have been forwarded to them.
As I explained to Deputy Cooper, who asked a question on the Deputy's behalf on 21st ultimo, the volume of business engaging the attention of the Government at this particular period of the year is abnormally large, and they have not yet been able to complete the detailed examination of the Report which is necessary to enable them to determine what further representations could usefully be made to the British Government on these matters. The whole question is, however, being thoroughly examined by the Departments concerned.
When the Executive Council find time to give a detailed examination to this Report, will they bear in mind the opinion expressed by the Committee that a minimum of 10,000 houses is necessary to meet even the most modest demands of the British ex-Servicemen, and that only 262 houses have yet been built by the Trust?
Yes.
Will the Executive Council also take into consideration the question of the rents at present being charged and the recommendations of the Committee on that point, as this is a matter of urgency?
That is a matter on which representations only could be made—it is not a matter over which the Government have any control. These matters, of course, will be the subject of consideration, and most of the report, as far as I have been able to judge, is taken up with that particular question of housing.