asked the Minister for Finance if he will state the annual cost to the State of pensions paid to resigned and dismissed R.I.C. men.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Cost of R.I.C. Pensions.
The cost of pensions paid to resigned and dismissed members of the R.I.C. and to the widows of such members was £49,460 for the year ended the 31st March, 1949.
Mr. Byrne
In view of the comparatively small cost to the State involved by these pensions will the Minister consider placing these pensions on a basis with the R.I.C. and D.M.P. who were disbanded and pensioned by the British Government? They are rapidly declining and the amount is very small.
Under the Orders by which these pensions were made they were calculated as the pensions which ex-members would receive if they continued to serve up to the 31st March, 1922.
Mr. Byrne
The Minister is aware of the famous phrase made by the late Michael Collins that they would be treated on not less favourable terms than those disbanded by the British Government?
And since 1922 the pensions are thought to have carried out that guarantee.