Paul McGrath
Question:66 Mr. McGrath asked the Minister for Defence if he will confirm that veterans of the war of independence were informed by him on 15 December 1999 that they were to receive a special payment and increased pension in January 2000; the number of these pensioners; if many pensioners who received this notification were subsequently told that they would not receive this payment; if so, the number of pensioners in this regard; and if he will make a once-off payment to them in view of the serious error made by his Department and the ensuing disappointment for many pensioners, some of whom had entered into financial commitments on the basis of his notification. [2106/00]