asked the Minister for Defence whether Article 39A of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Scheme, 1937, as inserted by Article 33 of the Defence Forces (Pensions) (Amendment) Scheme, 1947, specifically authorises the indefinite withholding of all or part of a gratuity awarded to an officer; or whether any time limit is provided within which a final decision must be reached.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Officers' Retirement Gratuity.
90.
Article 39A of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Scheme, 1937, referred to by the Deputy, provides that payment of the gratuity may be withheld until the amount of the deduction is ascertained. The Article does not contain any reference to a time limit within which a final decision must be reached, but naturally every effort is made to reach a decision in the shortest possible time.