§ MR. HAYDENI beg to ask the Secretary of State for War whether he is aware that the War Office authorities took over the bog situate at Curramore, near Athlone; that awards for compensation to the tenants were made as far back as November 29th, 1903, and that the tenants were notified by the police 941 authorities not to further use the bog on May 28th, 1904; and, if so, whether, seeing that the tenants have been deprived of their principal means of livelihood, though the compensation awarded them has not yet been paid, he can state when the money will be paid to these tenants.
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThe awards were delivered on December 23rd, 1903. No tenant was disturbed until August 16th, 1904, when possession of the portions of the Curramore turf bank which projected into the danger area was taken over by the War Department. This only affected the turf banks of ten of the twenty-three tenants, all of whom had other banks in Curramore which have not been interfered with. The necessary arrangement will, it is hoped, be completed and the money paid during the present month. The tenants concerned in the portion taken over will be entitled to interest on the purchase money.
§ MR. HAYDENBy what authority was the land taken from these people before the money was paid?
§ MR. ARNOLD-FORSTERThat is a legal Question for which I must ask for notice.