Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Jul 1957

Vol. 163 No. 6

Committee on Finance. - Connaught Rangers (Pensions) Bill, 1957—Second Stage.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Traynor) (for the Minister for Defence)

I move "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

This Bill provides that service pensions and disability pensions payable under the Connaught Rangers (Pensions) Acts, 1936 to 1953, shall be increased by 15 per cent. which is the percentage appropriate to pensions not exceeding £100 under the scale of increases generally applicable in respect of other classes of State pensions. In no case do pensions affected by this Bill exceed £100 so that the setting out of a scale of increases is unnecessary.

The increases become effective from 1st August, 1956, and are in fact being paid since that date on the authority of a Supplementary Estimate for pensions passed in this House on the 25th July, 1956. The estimated annual cost is £194 and provision for this expenditure has been made in the Army Pensions Estimate for the current year which has already been approved by the House. The Bill is, of course, necessary in order to give statutory authority for the increases.

There is nothing else I think for me to say on the matter unless any Deputy wishes to raise a point.

Mr. Coogan

While I welcome this Bill, I would make a special appeal to the Minister to reconsider that handful of Connaught Rangers who are outside the scope of this measure, a handful who have suffered for their part in the Indian Mutiny, who have suffered loss of pension rights and gaol and some of whom were sentenced to death. We know the history of that and we should give recognition to that small group, who are worthy of it. It is not to the credit of this country that some of those heroes have ended their days in the county home. I feel they have a good case for the Minister to reconsider.

Mr. Traynor

I am afraid I cannot promise to do anything arising out of this Bill. When this Bill was originally introduced every person who was believed to be entitled to a pension under the Connaught Rangers (Pensions) Bill appeared to apply. I think they had an organisation at that time which verified the service of the people who are now in receipt of these pensions. I am not aware myself of individuals outside the scope of the Bill to whom the Deputy is referring.

Mr. Coogan

I shall inform the Minister, but I feel as there has been an extension in the case of the Old I.R.A. these people should be entitled to an extension, too.

Question put and agreed to.