asked the Minister for Finance if communications from the British Colonial Office requesting the concurrence of the Saorstát Government in conferring the benefits of the Pension (Increase) Act, 1924, on the pre-war pensioners of the Irish Lights Service have been received, and if so, whether he will state what reply, if any, has been sent, in view of the fact that pensioners are still deprived of the benefits referred to.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - PRE-WAR PENSIONERS OF IRISH LIGHTS SERVICE.
The communications referred to have been received, and a reply is now being sent to them. The question, whether the benefit of the Pensions (Increase) Act, 1924, recently passed by the British Parliament, should be conferred on pre-war pensioners of the Irish Lights Service, is entirely for the British Government to determine, as any financial liability in respect of such benefits would fall on the British Government.
May I ask the Minister whether he will acquaint the British Board of Trade of that fact, and tell them that he has no objection?
As I say, the reply has been drafted, has been approved of, and is being sent.