asked the Minister for Local Government if, in order to allay the anxiety of traders in the North Strand flood area, he will make a statement setting out in detail the terms of reference of the committee set up by him to examine the claims which have been submitted by those affected by the floods.

asked the Minister for Local Government when compensation will be paid to the flood victims in the Dublin area, as grave hardship is being caused by the delay in payment.

asked the Minister for Local Government when compensation will be paid to those persons who suffered severe losses during the recent floods in Dublin, and when the investigation committee set up by him will make its report.

With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 96, 97 and 98 together.

I would refer the Deputies to the statement issued by the Dublin Flood Relief Committee, which was reported in the newspapers yesterday, in regard to the payment of grants to alleviate distress.

The terms of reference of the committee were set out in my Order of 7th January as follows:—

"The object of the committee shall be to assist in alleviating distress caused by the flooding in the City of Dublin on the 8th and 9th December, 1954. Grants shall be made to the committee by me and the expenditure of such grants will be subject to conditions to be laid down by me with the consent of the Minister for Finance."

Will the Minister state if it is possible for dissatisfied people to go to court? Is there any form of appeal against inadequate grants? There are cases of persons getting £30 compensation in respect of £250 worth of damage. Is there a court of appeal?

There is no question of compensation at all. It is merely a question of relieving distress and there is no appeal from the decision of the committee.

In Question No. 96 I asked the Minister for details of the terms of reference, not for a general statement. I would like the Minister for Local Government to make available the detailed terms of reference.

In so far as the terms of reference of the committee are concerned, they are set out in the Order made by me on the 7th January and they are as stated by me. Any application for further details should be made to the chairman or the secretary of the committee.

Are they the people who hear the appeals?

They are the people who make the awards.