Vol. 531 No. 4
125 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Defence if he will review on humanitarian grounds the circumstances which resulted in a person (details supplied) ceasing to be a member of the Defence Forces; if he will allow this person access to the files and papers relevant to the case; and if he will determine if this person was dealt with unjustly. [6181/01]
The individual in question was retired from the Defence Forces by the President, acting on the advice of the Government in 1969. The retirement was made in accordance with section 47(2) of the Defence Act, 1954, which provides that an officer of the Permanent Defence Force may for any prescribed reason be retired by the President and subparagraph 18(1)(f) of Defence Force Regulations A15, which prescribes that an officer of the Permanent Defence Force may be retired "in the interests of the service" pursuant to section 47(2) of the Act.
I have reviewed all the papers in the case. I am satisfied that the matter was dealt with in an entirely correct and appropriate manner and that the eventual decision was taken only after very detailed consideration. Such a decision is only ever taken for the most grave and compelling reasons. Given that this is a matter involving military security, on which a decision was made by the President, the files and papers relevant to this case cannot be released.
