asked the Minister for Finance if he will mark the 50th anniversary of the Truce in the War of Independence by making provision in the forthcoming Budget for a substantial increase in the pensions payable to veterans of that struggle.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensions of War of Independence Veterans.
11.
As the Deputy will appreciate I cannot give any indication at this stage of matters which may or may not be contained in the forthcoming Budget.
The Minister must be aware, surely, that it is the Golden Jubilee Year of the Truce and that the number of pensioners who are still alive are diminishing every year and that in the very near future the State will not have any liability towards those people. Would the Minister, therefore, consider increasing or doubling the small pensions that are given to these men, many of whom are in very poor circumstances? There are monuments and memorials all over the country but this is the least we should do in a practical way, especially in this year of the Golden Jubilee, to help those who are old and badly off.
This is a very long speech.
I am aware that this is the 50th anniversary of the Truce, but as I have said I cannot at this stage indicate what may or may not appear in the Budget.
When will the Budget be introduced?
I dealt with that question this morning.