asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that Mr. John Maguire, of 1 St. Joseph's Terrace, North Circular Road, in giving voluntary assistance on the morning of the North Strand bombing, lost an overcoat which has not been replaced; and if, in view of the fact that his loss is due to an effort to serve the State in a voluntary capacity, he will see that the loss is made good.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - North Strand Bombing.
Mr. Byrne
The loss referred to in the question formed the subject of an application under the Neutrality (War Damage to Property) Act, 1941; it is, however, clearly outside the scope of the Act and I have, accordingly, been obliged to refuse to make any offer of compensation. There are no funds at my disposal out of which the loss could be made good.
Mr. Byrne
Would the Minister say what is to happen in cases like this, where men, who give their services willingly in voluntary work as a result of the appeal of Ministers who, on public platforms, have asked for citizens to give such voluntary service, lose their property? I thought that the Act would cover such cases. Are such people not entitled to compensation for the loss of their property?
This particular case does not come under the Act.
Mr. Byrne
What is to happen in such a case as this? This is the case of an ordinary Dublin workingman, who assisted the fire brigade in their operations during the North Strand bombing, as a result of which he lost his overcoat. That man, by his voluntary work, served the State and the people of the State.
Overcoats are stolen every day in the week, as this man's overcoat was stolen.
Mr. Byrne
And no compensation is to be made?
No compensation is available under the Act.