asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that Sergeant John Dempsey, Blacktrench, Naas, Co. Kildare, Army No. 22803, has not been paid 4s. 3d. per day, being the difference between Army pay, ration, clothing, and marriage allowance, calculated at 12s. 3d. per day, and the rate of 8s. per day, including messing allowance, paid to him by Army Contractor Devlin as a canteen assistant for the period 22nd October, 1922, to the 25th June, 1924, when he was discharged; further, that he has not received fourteen days' ordinary pay of rank, ration and marriage allowance on discharge, as authorised by Defence Order No. 54, and whether he will have enquiries made with a view to immediate payment.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - EX-SOLDIER'S CLAIM.
A question was put concerning this matter by Deputy de Bhulbh on 26th June last. Since that date the matter has been further investigated. It now transpires that the reply given to Deputy de Bhulbh was not exactly correct as regards Mr. Dempsey's discharge from the Army. It was made in good faith and on grounds which appeared to be sufficient. I regret that it was unsatisfactory, and that I am not in a position to reply to-day. I will communicate with the Deputy and also with Deputy de Bhulbh at an early date.