asked the Minister for Finance if he will state how many applications for retirement under Article X of the Treaty were pending on 30th September last, and how many from each State Department; how many applications were received respectively in October, November, and December, 1928, and in January, February and March, 1929, from each Department; the total number of applications received, and how many disposed of; how many were withdrawn, and whether he expects further withdrawals; and if he will state when he proposes to introduce the promised Bill dealing with these matters.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Retirements Under Article X of Treaty.
339 applications for retirement under Article X were pending on the 30th September last. The number of pending applications from each Department of State on that date and the additional number received during each of the six months referred to in the question are as follows:—
|
Department |
No. of applications pending at 30th Sept., 1928 |
No. of applications received during the months of |
|||||
|
Oct., 1928 |
Nov., 1928 |
Dec., 1928 |
Jan., 1929 |
Feb., 1929 |
Mar., 1929 |
||
|
Finance |
18 |
— |
— |
2 |
— |
9 |
— |
|
Posts and Telegraphs |
248 |
6 |
4 |
38 |
5 |
163 |
— |
|
Justice |
26 |
— |
— |
2 |
— |
15 |
1 |
|
Local Government and Public Health |
17 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
3 |
— |
|
Education |
7 |
— |
— |
2 |
— |
5 |
1 |
|
Industry and Commerce |
1 |
1 |
— |
1 |
— |
1 |
— |
|
Agriculture |
5 |
— |
— |
1 |
— |
1 |
— |
|
Defence |
1 |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
— |
|
Lands and Fisheries |
16 |
— |
— |
4 |
1 |
5 |
— |
The total number of applications for retirement received to date is 2,610, of which 2,006 have been disposed of. Of the latter number, 237 were withdrawn. I have no information at present to show that further withdrawals may be expected.
The introduction of the Bill referred to in the question is dependent on the formal signature by representatives of the British Government and the Saorstát Government of the agreement arrived at interpreting and supplementing Article X of the Treaty. I hope that the agreement will be signed within the next few weeks and the legislation will then be proceeded with.