57.—(1) Where the Minister is of opinion that there is a doubt as to whether or not any lake or other inland waters belong to the State but, in his opinion, it is likely that the lake or other inland waters do so belong, he may, after consultation with the Minister for Agriculture and Fisheries, publish a notice in the Iris Oifigiúil and in at least one newspaper circulating in the locality in which the lake or other inland waters are situate requiring either, as may be stated in the notice—

(a) any person who claims to have or to be entitled to enjoy an interest in or over the lake or other inland waters (which shall be specified in the notice) or, in the case of a lake, in or over the lakeshore accretion (if any) from the lake, or

(b) any person who claims to have or to be entitled to enjoy an interest, other than a right of fishing, in or over the lake or other inland waters (which shall be so specified) or in or over such lakeshore accretion,

to furnish to the Minister within a period specified in the notice (being a period of not less than two months from the date of the publication in the Iris Oifigiúil) particulars of the interest together with an abstract (accompanied by copies of all abstracted documents) of his title to the interest or of the grounds on which the claim is based.

(2) Where a person furnishes to the Minister particulars required by a notice under subsection (1) of this section, the Minister shall pay to the person all costs necessarily and reasonably incurred by him in relation thereto.

(3) Where a notice is published under subsection (1) of this section, if in relation either to the whole of the inland waters and lakeshore accretion (if any) to which the notice relates or to a part of those waters or that lakeshore accretion (if any) either—

(a) there is not furnished by any person within the period specified particulars of an interest duly supported by the abstract and copies of documents required by the notice, or

(b) the period so specified has expired and the Minister acquires by agreement all interests particulars of which have been furnished to him pursuant to this section,

then, the Minister may by order declare that the fee simple—

(i) in case the requirements of paragraph (a) or paragraph (b) of this subsection are complied with as regards the whole of the said inland waters and lakeshore accretion (if any), in the land covered by the waters to which the notice relates or, in the case of a lake, comprised in any lakeshore accretion from the lake to which the notice relates, belongs to the State,

(ii) in case the said requirements are complied with only as regards a particular part of the said inland waters, or a particular part of any such lakeshore accretion, or a particular part of the said inland waters and lakeshore accretion, in the land covered by the said part of the said inland waters, or comprised in the said part of the said lakeshore accretion, or in such land and so comprised, as may be appropriate, belongs to the State,

together with any interest in or over the said land or waters which is inferior to the aforesaid fee simple; provided that in case the particulars required by the notice to be furnished to the Minister are particulars of interests other than rights of fishing, the terms of the declaration shall be framed so as not to include rights of fishing.

(4) A declaration made under this section shall operate as regards the land to which it relates in accordance with its terms and shall be conclusive evidence of the matters declared and shall not be questioned in any legal proceedings.

(5) Where the Minister makes a declaration under this section and a person subsequently proves that but for the making of the declaration he would have an interest (whether vested or contingent) in or over the land or lake or other inland waters to which the declaration relates, the person shall be entitled to be paid compensation by the Minister in respect of the interest.

(6) A claim under this section for payment of compensation shall, in default of agreement, be determined by arbitration under the Act of 1919 in like manner in all respects as if such claim arose in relation to compulsory acquisition of land.

(7) Nothing in this section shall restrict, prejudice or affect the functions of sanitary authorities or the Minister for Local Government under the Local Government (Sanitary Services) Acts, 1878 to 1964, or the Water Supplies Act, 1942.