asked the Minister for Local Government if he is aware that Tullamore Urban Council have issued a civil process against a widow in very poor circumstances for rent amounting to £3 16s. 8d. which it is alleged she owes the council for one of their houses at Tullamore, County Offaly, in which she was a lodger, and of which she was never appointed a tenant and had no contract whatever with the urban council; and, further, if he is aware that the council's rent collector failed to recognise her in any way, and if, in view of the special circumstances, he will take action to prevent further inconvenience to this poor woman who was never in occupation of a house the property of the Tullamore Urban Council.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tullamore U.D.C. Rent Claim.
I am not prepared to interfere with the right of local authorities to initiate such judicial proceedings as they consider necessary to safeguard the ratepayers' interests.
Surely the Minister must take serious notice of the fact that the Tullamore Urban Council are about to take legal proceedings for £3 16s. 8d. against a person who was never a tenant of one of their houses? The person in question occupied a room: the tenant left. Now legal proceedings are being instituted against the lodger who is a widow in receipt of the widow's pension and who is in very poor circumstances. Surely the Minister must safeguard the people against such proceedings by a local authority?
Local bodies are in possession of the facts concerning local circumstances in each case. They have their own legal advisers. Surely it is not the business of the Minister to intervene in matters of this kind and to dictate what they should or should not do.