asked the Minister for Defence why officers of the Irish Army who served in UNTSO in the Middle-East from 1961 to 1967 have been excluded from the allowance of £1 per day; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Officers' Allowance.
36.
Because of the nature of their mission the payment of an overseas allowance to such officers would not normally be warranted. In the exceptional conditions arising from the war of June, 1967, it was possible to authorise payment of an allowance in respect of service in that particular mission area with effect from 1st June, 1967.
How much would it cost the Department if they were to pay the officers who served from 1961 to 1967 the £1 per day allowance?
No justification was seen for paying allowances for that period and therefore the question of a calculation did not arise.
Why would there not be justification?
Conditions changed in 1967 and additional allowances were then introduced.
Does the Minister not agree that for those who served from 1967 the conditions were not all that different from those which were there before?
Following the developments in 1967 this allowance was introduced. It was deemed to be justifiable then but not before that date.