asked the Minister for Defence with regard to the case of a retired officer raised in the Dáil on Vote 47 if he will state (a) whether the case of the missing stores was referred to the Judge Advocate General, (b) whether the alleged failures of the Accounting Officer in regard to his duties were referred to the Judge Advocate General before the officer retired, and (c) whether the Judge Advocate General approved of the deduction of the sum of £486 from that officer's emoluments.
Written Answer. - Army Officer's Retirement Gratuity.
66.
The answer to (a) and (b) of the Deputy's Question is in the negative. In regard to (c) I have already indicated that the statutory authority for withholding portion of the officer's gratuity is Article 39A of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Scheme, 1937, as inserted by Article 33 of the Defence Forces (Pensions) (Amendment) Scheme, 1947. The Judge Advocate General has no functions in relation to the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes.