asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that a number of men resigned from the former Royal Irish Constabulary in response to representations made by the leaders of the independence movement during the period 1916-1921; that a number were dismissed because of their sympathy with or active participation in the independence movement; that these men were assured that the Irish Government would treat them not less generously than the British Government treated the members of the force who remained loyal to the British Government; that, on the disbandment of the force, the British Government awarded their supporters retirement pensions at least 10 per cent. higher than those awarded, class by class, by the Irish Government; that, at the moment, men in receipt of British pensions are being paid at a rate which is 40 per cent. higher than the rate paid to the men who served the national movement; and whether, in the circumstances, he will be prepared to have the position re-examined with a view to increasing the Irish pensions to the level of the British pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensions of ex-R.I.C.
Mr. Corish
I am not prepared to introduce any alteration in the arrangements which were devised to meet the cases of the pensioners in the Deputy's question.