asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the mother of the late Volunteer John J. Quinn has been refused a pension, the reason given being that her son's death was not the result of any specific wound or injury received during his service in the National Army; if he is aware that her son lost the sight of one eye in an ambush in November, 1922, and by continuing to serve in the Army he contracted an illness due to heavy wettings, which resulted in his death; if he is aware that the doctor who attended him certified that his death was due to his military service; if he will see that this and similar cases receive sympathetic consideration by the Pensions Department.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - REFUSED PENSION CLAIM.
I am not aware that the late Private Quinn lost the sight of an eye in an ambush.
The civilian doctor who attended him at the time of his death has expressed the opinion that tuberculosis, to which death was due, was contracted on military service. As, however, a case of this kind does not come within the scope of the Army Pensions Act, it is regretted that it was necessary to inform Mrs. Quinn that no financial provision could be made for her.
Mr. BYRNE
Arising out of that answer, and in view of the hardships which must result to the dependents of soldiers who met their deaths under similar circumstances, will he not take steps to have the Pensions Act amended so as to include those cases?
That question was very carefully considered when the Pensions Act was passing through the Dáil. If it is found necessary to make provision for meeting any cases of this kind, it will have to be made in some other way.