Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Nov 1960

Vol. 184 No. 3

Committee on Finance. - MacSwiney (Pension) (Increase) (No. 2) Bill, 1960—Second Stage.

Aire Cosanta (Caoimhghín Ó Beoláin)

Tairgim go léifí an Bille Athuair anois. Tá soláthar á dhéanamh leis an mBille chun méadú de seacht-go-leith fe'n gcéad a chur leis an bpinsean de £561.16.—sa bhliain is inioctha le baintreach Thoirdhealbhaigh Mhic Shuibhne. Tá an méadú sin de réir na méaduithe le haghaidh pinsinéirí Stáit, i gcoitinne, a údaraiodh ag an Aire Airgeadais ina Ráiteas ar an gCáinaisnéis in Aibreán 1960, agus tá an méadú á íoc ón lú Lunasa, 1960, i leith, ar údarás Meastacháin Bhreise le haghaidh pinsean a ritheadh sa Teach seo ar an 20ú Iúl, 1960. Tá an Bille riachtanach chun údarás reachtúil a chur ar fáil don mhéadú.

The Bill provides for an increase of seven and one-half per cent. in the pension of £561 16s. per annum payable to the widow of Terence MacSwiney. The increase is in accordance with those for State pensioners, generally, authorised by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement in April, 1960, and it is being paid since 1st August, 1960, on the authority of a Supplementary Estimate for pensions passed in this House on 20th July, 1960. The Bill is necessary to give statutory authority for the increase.

General MacEoin

If this Bill had been taken before the Military Service Pensions (Increase) Bill, one would surely say that if the increase in this pension is seven and a half per cent. surely the military service pension increase should be seven and a half per cent. as well. There must be some principle governing the increase. Whether or not it is sufficient I shall not argue now. However, there must be some principle by which the figure was arrived at. I agree to the increase but it is a peculiar line of action on the part of the Minister that he increases this pension by seven and a half per cent. and the military service pension by five per cent.

Mr. K. Boland

The Minister for Finance, in his Budget statement, announced that there would be an increase of five per cent. in military service pensions but in dealing with pensions generally, he stated some classes would receive a seven and a half per cent. increase. In the general Pensions Bill the Minister for Finance brings in there is a similar case to that of this lady and the two ladies dealt with in the next Bill. It was decided that that case should rank for the seven and a half per cent. increase rather than the five per cent. increase. That set the headline for these other ladies and they also have been given a seven and a half per cent. increase. However, it was definitely provided in the Budget statement that the increase in military service pensions would be five per cent. This is not a military service pension.

General MacEoin

The Minister should have asked for a seven and a half per cent. overall increase. He should not have let the Minister for Finance cod him out of two and a half per cent.

Mr. K. Boland

It was not that. He gave me two and a half per cent. in this case.

Question put and agreed to.

Agreed to take remaining Stages today.