asked the Minister for Defence whether, with reference to the case of the retired officer referred to by him as the unit Accounting Officer in the Dáil on the 22nd May, 1962, on Vote 47, at any time the said officer while holding the appointment as Accounting Officer made representations to his military superiors that he had not sufficient staff to perform his duties; and, if so, the date and circumstances of the making of such representations.
Written Answers. - Army Unit Accounting Officer.
146.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative. The representations were made orally to his Officer Commanding early in 1960.
147.
asked the Minister for Defence if, with reference to the case of the retired officer referred to by him as the unit Accounting Officer in the Dáil on the 22nd May, 1962, on Vote 47, he will state (a) the date on which the said officer took up duty as such and signed for the stores in question, (b) the date on which he relinquished his duties as such, and (c) the circumstances in which he so relinquished these duties.
The answer to the Deputy's question is: (a) 1st October, 1959, (b) 22nd July, 1960. (c) Consequent on his appointment to the 32nd Battalion for service in the Republic of the Congo.
148.
asked the Minister for Defence if he will state with reference to a reply of 5th June, 1962, in relation to the case of a retired officer (a) the date upon which the findings of the Court of Inquiry were transmitted as provided by Article 119 of the Rules of Procedure (Defence Forces) 1954; (b) whether the said findings fixed the responsibility for the loss of the stores in question upon the said officer; and, if so, (c) whether the liability of the said officer in respect thereof was ascertained by the said findings, and, if so, in what amount.
The findings of the Court of Inquiry were forwarded, as provided by Rule 119 of Rules of Procedure (Defence Forces), 1954, on 4th May, 1961, and again on 7th September, 1961, following re-assembly of the Court.
In regard to (b) and (c) of the Deputy's Question, I have already indicated that it is the practice not to disclose the findings of a court of inquiry such as this.