asked the Minister for Defence if he will arrange for adequate insurance cover for army personnel engaged in bomb disposal duties in the border area.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bomb Disposal Duties.
48.
An arrangement exists whereby officers of the Ordnance Corps may be refunded any extra premiums which they may have to pay on whole life and endowment policies because of abnormal risks involved in their duties.
Is the Minister aware that recently members of this bomb disposal squad when they endeavoured to obtain a quotation from a reputable local insurance firm were refused a quotation? There are 18 officers involved in this work and they feel that they are being badly treated and are not covered at all by insurance in the course of their work. An article in a newspaper appears to indicate that members of the British Army bomb disposal squad have cover. I should like the Minister to deal with this as a matter of urgency.
The Deputy has raised a new matter, namely the refusal to give cover. I can inform the Deputy that the sanction of the Minister for Finance was obtained in October, 1972, for a refund to any officer of the Ordnance Corps who, because of abnormal risk involved in his duties, had to pay an extra premium. I will have the matter of officers who have found themselves unable to obtain cover examined to see what I can do about it. I am grateful to the Deputy for the information, and if he could give me any more details I would also be grateful.
Question No. 49 postponed.