To ask the Minister for Home Affairs when he proposes to institute an inquiry into the cases of men who resigned from the R.I.C. during the Anglo-Irish war. If he is aware that some of these men, and their families, have suffered great hardships since their resignation owing to their inability to secure any other employment.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. - RESIGNED R.I.C.
Mr. R. CORISH
MINISTER for HOME AFFAIRS (Mr. K. O'Higgins)
It is the intention of the Government to grant compensation to certain Royal Irish Constabulary men who resigned or were dismissed in recent years, because of their national sympathies. It is intended that such men will receive as generous terms as if they had remained in the force until the date of their disbandment. Legislation will be required to cover such compensation, and it is proposed to introduce the appropriate measure as soon after the enactment of the Constitution as is practicable. An inquiry into each individual case will, of course, be necessary, and prior to the introduction of the proposed legislative measure, an investigating committee will be appointed. I have no doubt that some of these men and their families have suffered great hardships since their resignation, but in this connection it should be remembered that there are many other people who have suffered acutely and for whom no compensation is available. It is, however, hoped to set up the investigating committee at an early date to deal with this specific case of ex-Royal Irish Constabulary men.