Seanad Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 9 Nov 1960

Vol. 53 No. 1

Pensions (Amendment) (No. 2) Bill, 1960 (Certified Money Bill) — Second and Subsequent Stages.

Question proposed: That the Bill be now read a Second Time.

Aire Cosanta (Caoimhghín Ó Beoláin)

Tá soláthar á dhéanamh leis an mBille seo chun údarás reachtúil a dheonadh do'n mhéadú de seacht-goleith fé'n gcéad i ngach ceann ar leith den dá phinsean de £561 16s. sa bhliain is iníochta le baintreachta Mhichil Uí Cheallacháin agus Sheoirse Mhic Fhlannchadha, ba Mhéaraí Luimnigh tráth. Tá na méaduithe á íoc ón lú Lúnasa 1960, i leith, ar údarás Meastacháin Bhreise le haghaidh pinsean a ritheadh i nDáil Éireann ar an 20ú Iúil 1960 agus tá siad de réir mar a udaraoidh ag an Aire Airgeadais ina Ráiteas ar an gCáinaisnéis in Aibreán 1960.

This Bill provides statutory authority for the increase of 7½ per cent. in each of the pensions of £561 16s. per annum payable to the widows of Micheál Ó Ceallacháin and Seoirse Mac Fhlannchadha, former Mayors of Limerick. The increases are being paid since 1st August, 1960 on the authority of a Supplementary Estimate for pensions which was passed in Dáil Éireann on 20th July, 1960 and they are in accordance with what was authorised by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement in April, 1960.

Dr. Sheehy Skeffington

I should like to make a point in regard to this Bill on the fact that from the terms of the Bill, it was not quite clear to whom it applies. I feel that, in a way, it might be better if, as in the Bill which we just had before us, the Title showed to whom it applied. It looks a bit mysterious this way, although it is, of course, a Bill we all welcome. There is no point in suggesting an amendment now, but it seems odd that in the case of the Bill which has just been before us, we had the name of the recipient in the Title whereas here it is all left anonymous and there is no mention in the Title or in the Bill of those to whom it applies.

Mr. K. Boland

That arose at the time the pensions were granted originally and I cannot accept any personal responsibilities for the fact that there was a difference in regard to the Title. This is known as the Pensions (No. 2) Bill and the other was known as the MacSwiney (Pension) (Increase) (No. 2) Bill and that was the position which I found.

Question put and agreed to.

Agreed to take remaining Stages today.

Bill put through Committee, reported without recommendation, received for final consideration and ordered to be returned to the Dáil.