asked the Minister for Local Government whether it is a fact that he proposes to fix pensions for ex Rate Collectors Cardiff and Kelly, Wicklow County, notwithstanding the fact that both these collectors, in January, 1921, refused to carry out the orders of the County Council, although these orders were issued on the instructions of Dáil Eireann.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. [ORAL ANSWERS.] - RATE COLLECTORS' PENSIONS (WICKLOW).
I am legally advised that these two Rate Collectors having received the sanction of the late Local Government Board to their resignations for the purposes of Section 8 of the Local Government Act, 1919, I have no option but to determine their rights to and amount of superannuation allowances.
Am I to understand from that answer that the Local Government Department will compel the County Council to pay the pensions?
That is in the nature of a hypothetical question, and I could not answer it. I think the question of the validity of their claims to pensions has been decided. I could be compelled by law to decide their appeal under Section 8 of the Local Government Act of 1919. The Council will have every opportunity, when the appeal comes to be heard, of putting forward their views as to why these rate collectors should not get pensions. If it is decided that they are entitled to pensions, then the County Council will be compelled by law to pay the pensions.
Are we to understand by that answer that all these rate collectors who refused in 1920-21 to obey the instructions of the duly elected representatives of the people, who in turn had received instructions from Dáil Eireann, that all these people will be entitled to pensions?
No.
I think it is well that that should be known, because, otherwise, a certain inference might be drawn from the answer that was given.