asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the fact that the late Private Noel Mullally (No. E/406214) was killed while on Army service, and that he contributed, when in the Army, to the support of his parents, he will make an ex-gratia payment to his father.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Compensation to Soldier's Dependents.
Army pensions legislation does not permit of any payment to Mr. Mullally, and I regret that I cannot make a special exception in the present case for the purpose of an ex-gratia payment.
Is the Minister aware that in some cases where soldiers were killed on service in fairly similar circumstances payments were made to their dependents? Will he consider making in this case an ex-gratia payment to the parents of this soldier who suffered a grievous loss? While the father is working, he is in comparatively poor circumstances.
The case is, I am sorry to say, statute barred.
An application was made to the Minister before it was statute barred and it was refused.
That is so.