asked the Minister for Defence if he will state when a decision will be communicated to Mr. J.S. O'Connor, Elm Hall, Celbridge, who submitted an application for a pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, and appeared before the referee for examination in May, 1937.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Pensions.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state when a decision will be communicated to Mr. P. Healy, Oakley Park, Celbridge, who submitted an application for a pension under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, and appeared before the referee for examination in May, 1937.
I will take questions 5 and 6 together. As the referee has not yet reported on the applications of Mr. J.S. O'Connor, Elm Hall, Celbridge, and Mr. P. Healy, Oakley Park, Celbridge, for pensions under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, I am not in a position to say when a decision will be communicated to these gentlemen.
Arising out of the Minister's reply, in view of the fact that these persons appeared in person before the board in May, 1937, which is three years ago, that all the evidence relative to their applications has been submitted and that no more information can be submitted, will the Minister say what is the cause of the vexatious delay on the part of the referee in coming to a decision on evidence which cannot be further supplemented?
The referee has asked for the production of brigade records and they have not been given to him yet. He cannot arrive at a decision until he secures those records. He has made that pretty clear.
Will the Minister say when the referee asked for the production of these records and to whom his inquiry was addressed?
It was addressed to the verifying authority for the area.
And when was that inquiry addressed to the verifying authority?
He makes it regularly, at least once every three months.
Will the Minister point out to the referee that these people have appeared before the board in person three years ago and, one way or another, no more evidence can be produced and that he should decide the case on the evidence that is available?
I will bring it to his attention.