asked the Minister for Lands if a sheriff's warrant for collection of one half-year's land annuity instalment was issued to the County Registrar of Roscommon in respect of lands held by representatives of the late Mr. Michael Brennan, Tremane, Roscommon; if the demand now includes costs, and what steps were taken by the Irish Land Commission to have this instalment collected before costs were incurred.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Roscommon Land Annuity.
The question appears to refer to the holding of Michael Brennan, Tromaun, Roscommon, the subject of receivable order No. 131/945. In this case a six-day notice was issued in January 1942, for the December, 1941, instalment, and the amount in respect thereof not having been paid a warrant was issued to the county registrar on 19th June, 1942. The appropriate costs (amounting to 5/-) became payable on the issue of the warrant, which was in the name of Michael Brennan, as the land Commission had no information as to his decease.
Mr. Brennan
Will the Minister inform me whether the receivable order which accompanied his previous instalment was ever returned to that man or to his representatives?
That is a separate question.
Mr. Brennan
That is the reason it was not paid, and that is apparently becoming a custom with the Land Commission. They did not return the receivable order, but they did not hesitate to put the matter in the hands of the sheriff.
This man got the customary six-day notice, and he had from January to June to pay, the amount—whoever was responsible had that period in which to pay. There is no method by which the Land Commission can ascertain whether individuals have died in the meantime.
Mr. Brennan
I am not raising that particular point. A complaint was made to me that the receivable order was never returned, and that when the man went into the bank to pay the, amount it would not be taken from him because he had not the receivable order, and it is still in the hands of the Land Commission.
The Deputy did not refer to that aspect of the matter in his question.