asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware of the personal embarrassment caused to recipients of I.R.A. pensions, and particularly to those persons in receipt of special allowances, by the publication of particulars of their pensions or allowances as a result of parliamentary question, and, if so, if he will consider the desirability of not publicising such information in future.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Publication of I.R.A. Pensions.
It has been the practice for many years to furnish in reply to parliamentary questions, the names of persons in receipt of pensions or allowances under the Military Service Pensions Acts and the Army Pensions Acts, together with the amount of the pension or allowance. The addresses are not given.
I am not aware that this practice causes embarrassment, but if it does, the remedy is in the hands of the Deputies who ask the questions. I do not feel that I should refuse to give the information if it is asked for.
When did this type of question commence, the type of question asking for these lists?
In view of the personal inquiries that have to be made in the special allowances cases by investigation officers as to means and the private information that is disclosed by the fact that the person has an allowance in regard to illness, would the Minister not consider it desirable to omit any answer in that regard? I do not mind about other cases, but I do object to such information being disclosed under the heading of special allowances.
This system was initiated by the Deputy's colleagues in 1927.
We admit that.
Wait now. The then Deputy Domhnall Ó Buachalla asked the first question and the then Deputy Mullins the second. Then questions were put down asking for the addresses of individuals, which were given in this House. It was intended as an embarrassment to the recipients at that time. It was not an embarrassment to them. The information was given. If the House thinks that this information should not be given there will be nobody more happy than I will be to stop it, but the attitude of the House is that when a Minister is asked for information, if he does not give it, then there is another crime imputed. I think it is a matter for the Deputies of this House themselves as to whether or not they will ask these questions.
Further arising out of the question, there has been since then a complete change in the public point of view in regard to pensions and allowances to men who served this country in the War of Independence. I want to make a plea to the Minister in regard to special allowances only. If the House, as he says, wishes, they can make decisions in regard to other matters raised in the House, but I feel myself that in view of the personal inquiries that have to be made in regard to persons in receipt of special allowances that information should not be given.
On the question of special allowances I think it is unfair to the recipients to expose the circumstances under which they live, but again, in reply to the question, I want to say it is not a matter for the Minister. The Minister, as far as I know, cannot refuse to answer a question when it is put down by any elected Deputy of this House.