asked the Minister for Finance the up-to-date position regarding the recovery of moneys still unaccounted for from the £100,000 grant-in-aid for Northern Relief; and when it is expected that the moneys known to be in Germany will be returned to the Exchequer.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Northern Relief Grant-in-Aid.
35.
The Attorney-General and foreign legal advisers who have been consulted by him have not yet resolved all the legal complexities affecting the recovery of moneys voted for the relief of distress in Northern Ireland which were misapplied for the purchase, transportation and storage of arms in Germany and elsewhere. In order that possible criminal or legal proceedings might not be prejudiced, I do not propose making any further statement at this time but I shall make a full statement to the House when the matter of the legalities has been resolved.
Would the Minister say when this line of inquiry may be concluded? It has been going on for a considerable time.
It is difficult to say when. I assure the Deputy I am most anxious to have this unfortunate matter resolved as quickly as possible. However there are complicated matters of law and legal procedures affecting dealers, purchasers, vendors and agents in arms which include machine guns, pistols, sub-machine guns, bullet proof vests and a full range of commodities, as well as the purchase, the transportation, the storage and the sale of these commodities in a number of countries including Germany, Austria, Spain and the Far East. The Deputy will appreciate that there are many complicated questions which are not capable of easy and quick solutions. I am having these matters dealt with as quickly as possible and I would not wish to say anything now that would prejudice the taking of legal proceedings.
Is the Minister able to say how much money we may be able to recoup?
This is one of the problems that has to be considered, because although the amount of loss is known, the complexities involved in the recovery and the devices used to avoid the recovery do not make it possible for me to say at this stage the amount that may be recovered.
Does the Minister intend to take any proceedings against any person or persons?
I would not wish to make any comment on that. It is a matter for the legal advisers.