asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce when he will be able to announce his proposals for the compensation of those persons adversely affected financially by the bankruptcy of the Equitable Insurance Company.
7.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Equitable Insurance Company.
6.
asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether a final decision has yet been reached in regard to the payment of compensation to clients of the Equitable Insurance Company; and, if so, its nature.
I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.
I would refer the Deputies to the reply which I gave on 30th January, 1964, to questions on this subject. The matter is still under active consideration.
Will the Minister call the attention of the Minister for Industry and Commerce to the wellnigh desperate situation of some individuals, notably small building contractors, who had covered their employers' liability with this company and who have had substantial awards made against them and are in danger of being declared bankrupt as they have not got the capital sum to meet the judgments given against them and for which they were fully covered by this company?
I shall pass on the Deputy's remarks to the Minister.
I can assure the Minister that the situation with regard to certain of these people is quite desperate. Is the Minister further aware that the courts have made instalment orders in one case, to my knowledge, and that the employer is threatened with imprisonment for failure to comply with the instalment order relating to an accident in respect of which he was fully covered?