asked the Minister for Local Government if compensation has yet been paid to interested parties as provided by the Nelson Pillar Act, 1969; and the total amount of compensation involved.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Nelson Pillar.
33.
The compensation provided for in the Nelson Pillar Act, 1969 was paid to the trustees of the pillar by the Dublin Corporation on the 4th June, 1969. The corporation were recouped the total amount involved—£26,938 18s 3d from my Department's Vote on the 11th June, 1969.
Would the Minister state to what extent this involved payment by the Exchequer of compensation for malicious damages?
None to other parties apart from the trustees of Nelson Pillar.
To the trustees? Would the Minister not consider that this is a precedent for the payment of malicious damages compensation by the Exchequer and would it not provide a precedent, therefore, for the Exchequer stepping in to help the ratepayers of Meath with the burden of 7s 5d in the £ which they have been asked to pay this year as a result of malicious damages?
This is a precedent for which special legislation was introduced.
Would the Minister not consider introducing similar special legislation to relieve the ratepayers of Meath?
No.
That is a separate question.