asked the Minister for Finance the authority for the statement that the Government will pay compensation to the property owners whose property was damaged by the recent explosion of the Pillar by the Army; and the steps which the Government will take to provide the Exchequer with the funds necessary to pay such compensation.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nelson Pillar.
11.
As the Government acted to have the remnant of Nelson Pillar removed by the Army, it followed that the State should accept liability for damage to property arising out of this action, subject to the necessary funds being voted by Dáil Éireann in due course by means of a Supplementary Estimate.
Would the Minister consider that the Government should themselves, personally, out of their own pocket, pay for their own folly and not make the taxpayer bear the cost of paying for the Government's foolish mistakes?
I do not regard it as folly.
To blow up the centre of Dublin? God knows what you will try on next.