I beg to move for a return showing the names of the ex-R.I.C. men who have been awarded compensation on the recommendations of the Resigned and Dismissed Committee of Inquiry, together with the names of the stations in which they were serving when they resigned or were dismissed, also the amount and nature of the compensation.
In moving the motion standing in my name, I think there is very little need for any argument. The motion is that the members of the Dáil will be supplied with a list to be prepared and laid on the Table giving the numbers of all ex-R.I.C. men resigned or dismissed who received compensation or superannuation or some remuneration consequent on their being dismissed or retiring on national grounds. Some of these men were dismissed in 1916, and a good many of them left the service in 1918, 1919, 1920 and 1921, and it is nearly time they knew where they were. They do not know whether they are to receive compensation or not. They do not know what their position is to be, and I think the Minister will agree that it is nearly time they were in a position to know what the Government intends to do with them. Speaking on the 25th March last, the Minister said: "As soon as the list of those definitely passed for compensation is available I see no reason why it should not be presented to the Dáil," and again he said: "I see nothing against it," and later on he said: "I think it should be presented when it is completed. I think it will not be very long until we have compensation awarded in all these cases." I think, taking these things into consideration, the Minister will admit that it is time these lists were laid on the Table. I, therefore, content myself with proposing the motion.