asked the Minister for Defence if, in view of the general delay in the hearing of applications for service pensions, he will consider the setting up of a second board to deal with outstanding cases.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Military Service Pensions.
I have considered the matter to which the Deputy refers and have come to the conclusion that the appointment of a second Referee and Advisory Committee would be attended by certain disadvantages which would not be offset by the saving in time likely to be effected, regard being had to the amount of work still to be completed. Accordingly, I do not at present, in any event, propose to make any change in the existing arrangements.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state the cause of the delay in investigating the claims for military service pensions of the personnel of the pre-truce I.R.A. men of the Lismulladuff and Gleneely companies, County Donegal.
The Referee is dealing with applications as expeditiously as possible, but the Deputy will appreciate that they must be taken in some order. As far as County Donegal is concerned, there were sessions in Donegal town on the 23rd and 24th October, 1951; in Lifford on the 25th and 26th October, 1951, and in Letterkenny from the 8th to the 11th July, 1952, inclusive.