Vol. 249 No. 5
asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware of dissatisfaction with the travel facilities provided for the wives of Old IRA pensioners in view of the fact that the concession only applies when the wife is travelling with her husband so that when the husband is ill in hospital or invalided, it is not permissible for his wife to travel on the voucher; and if he will revise the conditions under which the free travel voucher is issued.
101.
asked the Minister for Defence if he has received representations from the South-East Galway Brigade Old IRA pointing out that free travel cards issued to wives of veterans of the War of Independence are practically rendered useless, since they require that the husband accompany the holder; and what action, if any, he proposes to take in the matter.
102.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will amend the regulations governing the free travel for the wives of Old IRA veterans, to allow them to travel free independent of their husbands.
103.
asked the Minister for Defence if it is a fact that the free travel arrangements available to wives of Old IRA veterans are not available to widows; and if so, if he will make arrangements to have widows included.
104.
asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware of the anomaly caused by the fact that free travel for wives of Old IRA pensioners is allowed only when the wives are accompanied by their husbands; and if he is prepared to take steps to correct this anomaly.
105.
asked the Minister for Defence if veterans of the War of Independence and their wives are eligible for free travel facilities; if he will extend this facility to widows of veterans of the War of Independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
With your permission, a Leas-Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 100, 101, 102, 103, 104 and 105 together.
In accordance with the 1968 Budget the benefit of the free travel scheme for old age pensioners was made available to veterans of the War of Independence. The travel facilities granted to spouses of veterans are in accordance with this year's Budget and are the same as those applicable to the spouses of old age pensioners. Any further extensions, including an extension to widows, would be a matter for consideration and no alteration in the scheme is contemplated at present.
Does the Minister not consider it fantastic that while the wives of the few veterans left in the country, enjoy these free travel facilities up to the day of their husband's death, the minute the husband dies and when they are in a worse position, these facilities are withdrawn? Surely the Minister sees a case for them?
This Government have gone a long way in regard to the veterans of the War of Independence. We should like to go a bit further but——
I appreciate that, but does the Minister not see he sets out to deprive people who have had this facility for some considerable time? These people are deprived at the point where the husband dies.
This is a concession granted to veterans.
I am sure the Minister is a bigger man than that.
We do not grant concessions. We give people what they are entitled to.
We have looked after our veterans very well indeed.
But not their widows. Their widows can go to hell.
