asked the Minister for External Affairs if he is aware that post-war credit in England is being repaid only to women over the age of 60 and to men over the age of 65; that very many Irish citizens (mostly young people) who worked in England during and since the war and are now back in Ireland have post-war credit certificates which are of little use to them in view of the fact that they have to wait so long for repayment; and, if so, whether he will request the British Government to make repayment at an early date on those post-war credit certificates held by Irish citizens who have come back and are again residing in Ireland.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - British Post-War Credits.
I am aware of the matter referred to by the Deputy. Some of the people concerned have written to me about it.
I have carefully considered what action I could take to meet the desire of these people and to secure repayment of their post-war credits as soon as possible. I am afraid, however, that there is nothing that I could usefully do. The deferment of repayment until the age of 60 in the case of women and 65 in the case of men is prescribed under British Treasury regulations, which apply to British subjects resident in Britain as well as to Irish citizens who worked in Britain during and since the war and are now back in this country. A request to the British Government to allow immediate repayment to Irish citizens would amount to asking them to treat our citizens more favourably than their own, and such representation would, I am afraid, have no chance of success.
I will keep the matter under review, and, if I see any opportunity of taking effective action on behalf of the people referred to by the Deputy, I will certainly take advantage of it. For the reasons I have explained, however, I am afraid there is no effective action I can take in present circumstances.