The report of the Committee of Inquiry into Ministerial and Other Salaries, in 1937 recommended that a Parliamentary Secretary should qualify for a gratuity on ceasing to hold office, but it considered that a similar recommendation in favour of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle was not warranted. The Ministerial and Parliamentary Offices Act, 1938, subsequently provided that the office of Parliamentary Secretary would attract pension rights rather than a gratuity, but it made no provision for the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.
Despite the difference in the treatment of the offices by the committee it is evident from its report that there was appreciable support for equating both offices. Indeed, the committee stated that the duties of the Leas-Cheann Comhairle were onerous and for all practical purpoes demanded whole-time attention. This continues to be the position and justifies taking steps now to make the office pensionable. Accordingly, the Bill equates the offices of Leas-Cheann Comhairle and Parliamentary Secretary for the purposes of pensionability and covers any past holders of the office, if alive, or their widows, with effect as from a date not earlier than the passing of the Bill.
