asked the Minister for Finance if he is aware that, on February 11th, 1922, the late General Collins, on behalf of the Government of the day, assured the representatives of the resigned and dismissed Royal Irish Constabulary men that former members of the force who, on account of their sympathy with or participation in the independence movement, refused to serve the Imperial Government or were dismissed from service under that Government would, in regard to pensions and gratuities, be treated not less generously than the men who remained up to the end of the Anglo-Irish War in the service of the Imperial Government; if he will now indicate what steps have been taken to implement this undertaking; and, further, if he will give favourable consideration to the applications of the men concerned for a review of the decisions in individual cases on claims made by them.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Resigned and Dismissed Royal Irish Constabulary Men.
Mr. Corish
I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by me on the 12th June, 1946, to his previous question on the same subject. The position remains unchanged.
Mr. Corish
The position is still unchanged despite the fact that General Collins gave an assurance to these men that their position would not be worsened. Is the Minister aware of the contents of the letter which General Collins wrote to the secretary of these dismissed and resigned R.I.C. men and will he reconsider his decision if I make available to him either a copy of the letter from General Collins or the original?
The matter was all dealt with by the Dáil on two occasions and two Acts of Parliament were passed.