asked the Minister for Defence if he will state why the application by Mr. Thomas Franklin, 4 The Crescent, Monkstown, County Dublin, Ref. No. 34/SP/25360, for a military service pension was refused.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Pension Claim.
An application under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924, was submitted by Mr. Thomas Franklin and was referred to the board of assessors appointed under that Act. The board reported on the 16th February, 1926, that his service was not of a nature to qualify for a pension in respect of it. He also applied under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, but the Referee reported that he was not a person to whom that Act applied.
Mr. Franklin submitted a petition under the Military Service Pensions (Amendment) Act, 1949, and this application was reinvestigated by the board of assessors, who reported that the applicant's service was not of a nature to qualify for a pension, and, in view of the report, I am precluded from taking any further action in the matter.
In view of the fact that it is generally recognised by those people in Enniscorthy who took part in the Rising in 1916 that this man has far better service than many who were awarded military service pensions and in view of the fact that he did take part in the Rising would the Minister ask the board now to review his case?
I cannot do that because I am ruled out from doing so. Considering that this man's case has been examined by three separate boards, the 1924, the 1934 and the 1949, and they have arrived at the same decision there would not seem to be a case.
Then he has no appeal at all.