asked the Minister for Finance whether he will state the reasons for his refusal to grant a pension to Richard Long, Mossgrove, Bandon, a resigned member of the R.I.C.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - BANDON R.I.C.-MAN'S PENSION CLAIM.
I am not satisfied on the evidence placed before me that Mr. Long's resignation from the R.I.C. in December, 1917, was caused by his national sympathies, and I have, therefore, felt unable to issue the certificate required by Section 5 of the Superannuation and Pensions Act, 1923, which would render him eligible for an award of pension.
Mr. MURPHY
Are you aware that in this case the man resigned and that immediately after his resignation he joined the Volunteers and became a Company Captain and continued so until 1922, and that since the civil war he remained neutral and did nothing detrimental to the Government?
This is a very difficult case. He stated in December, 1917, that he resigned in order to manage his father's farm. I am satisfied, on the whole, that that was so— that that was a true statement on his resignation. At that time the pay of the R.I.C. was £72 a year—less than an agricultural labourer was earning— and his father had a farm of about 54 acres. I believe that the real reason for his resigning, and the real reason in the case of many other people who resigned round about that time, before there was extreme tension in the country, was the economic reason.
This is a clear case where subsequent action has proved the national sympathies of the man who resigned, for he started a company of the Volunteers, and there is no question of his having, at any time, Irregular sympathies.
I know there is no question of his having, at any time, Irregular sympathies, and if it had not been for his subsequent I.R.A. services, I would not have the slightest doubt that he should be turned down. I believe that his subsequent services in that case do not outweigh the very strong presumption that anybody resigning at that particular period resigned for economic reasons.
Mr. MURPHY
Is the Minister aware that this man's case has been under consideration for a long time, that it was an outstanding case when others were decided, and that he had to submit evidence to prove that he was asked to resign by the officers of the Volunteers? That evidence has been submitted, and are we to assume, in face of that evidence, that the proof of his reason for resigning was entirely ignored?
I feel it is a very difficult case, but I have not yet been satisfied that the resignation was owing to national sympathies, or any reason other than economic.
Mr. MURPHY
If this man submits further evidence of the fact that he was called upon by the officers of the Volunteers to resign, will the Minister promise that that further evidence will receive consideration?
The case is a difficult one, and I will be glad to have further evidence. I will consider further evidence.