asked the Minister for Defence whether any members of the I.R.A., who had been court-martialled and expelled from the organisation in 1921 or 1922, have applied for pensions; and, if so, whether any pensions have been awarded to such members; and whether there is provision under the 1934 Act for the payment of pensions in such cases.
Ceisteanna.—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expelled I.R.A. Members.
It would not be possible to furnish the particulars required by the Deputy without the expenditure of much time and energy on the part of officials dealing with pension claims, which I do not think would be justified in present circumstances. The Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, applies to every person who establishes to the satisfaction of the referee that he served in the forces during the periods specified in Section 3 of the Act. Before making his report to me that an applicant is a person to whom the Act applies, the referee investigates the application in full. Where requisite to the completion of such investigation, the referee seeks and obtains evidence as to the extent and continuity of the applicant's service in the forces from the appropriate brigade committee and former officers of the applicant's unit nominated by the brigade committee.