§ 52. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Chief Secretary what compensation is paid to the owners of premises and other property destroyed by rebels; if such compensation is paid either directly or indirectly out of Irish money; and, if so, whether steps have been taken to impress upon the Irish people generally that they themselves are the real ultimate sufferers for acts of destruction committed by the rebels?
§ Sir H. GREENWOODCompensation for the malicious destruction of property is by law payable from the local rates. In the case of injury to Crown servants, advances have been made from the local taxation account from the grants withheld from local authorities which, by their refusal to submit their books to 1973 audit or otherwise, have severed their relations with the Local Government Board, or have declared their allegiance to Dail Eireann. In either case the loss involved falls directly on the Irish ratepayers. The effect of this burden will doubtless be felt for many years. I think the Irish people themselves are well aware of these facts.