asked the Minister for Defence when he hopes to introduce proposals for legislation to increase substantially Old I.R.A. pensions.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Old I.R.A. Pensions.
Certain increases in military service pensions and pensions and allowances under the Army Pensions Acts have been decided upon by the Government and the necessary legislation is being prepared.
I regret that I cannot at this stage say with certainty when legislation will be introduced but I am hopeful that it will be possible to introduce it during the present session.
In view of the Government's decision to increase certain pensions, would the Minister, pending legislation, make, as he did before, an interim payment of the increase, as the conditions under which some of the people concerned are now existing merit his immediate and expeditious consideration?
The Deputy knows that I cannot do that unless authority is granted by the Dáil.
If the Minister were to bring in a simple Bill to get authority to pay an interim increase long overdue to these people, I am quite sure he would get the unanimous consent of the Dáil.
Will the Minister consider, in the proposed legislation, ending the provision whereby pensions are abated in respect of persons employed either by the State or in respect of those who have certain local authority appointments?
I can only recommend the Deputy to await the Bill which, I hope, will not be too long delayed.
Mr. Byrne
asked the Minister for Defence if he has received a memorandum on the Old I.R.A. claims dated December, 1951, and if he received a deputation representative of the united conferences of the Old I.R.A. and the Mansion House Committee supporting the claims; and, if so, if he will state the result of the promised investigation.
I have received the memorandum and I have met the deputation referred to by the Deputy. In regard to the third part of the question, may I refer the Deputy to the answer which I have just given in reply to Question No. 77?