asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state what compensation, if any, he proposes paying to Mrs. O'Neill, Hurler's Cross, Clonmoney, County Clare, for the loss of her business and furniture and depreciation of her house in consequence of his Department notifying her that the house was being taken over for departmental purposes and ordering her to secure alternative accommodation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Clare Compensation Claim.
No acquisition Order was made in respect of the premises occupied by Mrs. O'Neill and, accordingly, no compensation falls to be paid.
Is the Parliamentary Secretary not aware that an officer authorised by his Department visited this woman on two occasions and informed her that she would have to abandon her premises, that in consequence of that this woman was put to serious loss in her business and suffered damage to her house? Would the Parliamentary Secretary not consider the question of making an ex gratia grant in the circumstances?
I do not think there is any reason why an ex gratia payment should be necessary. The premises concerned were not the subject of an acquisition Order. Although the tenant was visited on one occasion by an officer of the Department, no Order was made in respect of it.
The woman was visited on two occasions by an officer authorised by the Department and, as I stated, was put to serious loss and inconvenience. I regard the reply of the Parliamentary Secretary as unsatisfactory and, with your permission, a Leas-Chinn Chomhairle, I hope to raise the matter on the Adjournment.