§ Mr. McCuskerasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how damage to property is assessed by the Northern Ireland Office when considering claims from Eire citizens about buildings, etc., damaged by the cratering of cross-border roads;
(2) how much money has been paid by Her Majesty's Government to citizens of Eire for damage caused whilst cratering cross-border roads;
(3) what representations are made by the Northern Ireland Office to the courts in Eire when claims for damages caused by cross-border road cratering are being considered;
(4) what are the comparative figures for compensation paid to United Kingdom citizens and citizens of Eire for damage caused to property by cross-border road cratering operations.
§ Mr. Merlyn ReesCompensation for damage to property as the result of cratering operations by the Security Forces in Northern Ireland is paid under the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act 1973.
This Act relates only to operations within Northern Ireland. It follows that it cannot be invoked in respect of claims for damage caused outside Northern Ireland. Citizenship of an owner is not a factor which is relevant to the consideration of any claim, and therefore information is not available as to an amount which may have been paid to citizens of the Republic of Ireland. All claims are assessed on the same basis under the law.
Damage to property in the Republic of Ireland is not compensatable under the Emergency Provisions Act, but the Claims Commission of the Ministry of Defence is prepared to consider claims on a legal liability basis. There is no call for representations to be made to the Courts in the Republic of Ireland.
Up to 31st October 1975 a total of 260 claims for damage to property in Northern Ireland caused by Army cratering operations were settled for a total of £70,693. A further 77 such claims are still outstanding.