asked the Minister for Justice when persons who suffered injuries or loss of property in recent bombings will be compensated by the Criminal Injuries Compensation Board.

The scheme of compensation for personal injuries criminally inflicted, a copy of which I formally presented to the House at the time of its introduction in February, 1974, deals only with claims arising from death or personal injuries. It does not deal with claims for damage to property—such claims were already, and continue to be, covered by the Malicious Injuries Acts.

I am informed by the tribunal that, in relation to the bombings referred to in the question, awards have already been made in 26 fatal cases and a further 17 applications are at various stages of being processed. In nonfatal cases, 58 awards have already been made and 149 cases are in the course of being processed.

Where an award is made by an authorised officer of the tribunal or by a single member of the tribunal, it can be the subject of an appeal within the tribunal, as provided for in paragraph 25 of the scheme. I am informed that some of the awards made have been appealed against under this provision. All others have been paid except in two cases where the applicants have so far not accepted the award.

Is the tribunal the ultimate appeal or does an appeal lie to the Minister?

No, there is no appeal from the tribunal.

And there is no way in which an appellant could bring the matter before the courts?

No. The level of damages is the common law damages.

And the Minister himself has no appellant function?

No.