asked the Minister for Defence if he will state, with reference to the case of the retired officer raised by a Member on Vote 47 in the Dáil on 22nd May, 1962 (a) whether the sum of £486 or any part thereof was due and owing to any State authority by the said officer on the date on which he retired, (b) whether it is claimed that the said sum or any part thereof is due and owing as aforesaid at the present time, if so, (c) the grounds upon which it is claimed that the same is due and owing, and (d) the statutory authority or authorities, specifying in each case the relevant Acts, regulations, sections and articles, as the case may be, for making the said claim.
Written Answers. - Army Officer's Retirement Gratuity.
46.
Payment of the sum of £486 has been withheld from the officer's gratuity until the amount of any deduction which may be made is ascertained. The statutory authority for withholding payment of the sum in question is Article 39A of the Defence Forces (Pensions) Scheme, 1937, as inserted by Article 33 of the Defence Forces (Pensions) (Amendment) Scheme, 1947.
47.
asked the Minister for Defence, with reference to the case of a retired officer and the Minister's statement that the failures of the said officer in the administrative responsibilities imposed on him by the relevant Defence Force Regulations contributed to making possible the theft of the stores, if he will specify the regulations referred to, giving the title, reference number and year of every such regulation.
The regulations in question are:—
Defence Force Regulation Q.2., Part I., paragraph 60 (a), dated 20th October, 1955, as amended by Amendment No. 1, dated the 30th November, 1955.
Defence Force Regulation R.5., Parts XV and XVI, dated the 6th February, 1946, as amended by Amendment No. 65, dated the 7th January, 1960.
48.
asked the Minister for Defence under what section or sections of the relevant Defence Force Acts, Defence Force Regulation R.5 — An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil — dated 6th February, 1946, and Amendment No. 65 thereto, dated 7th January, 1960, were made.
Defence Force Regulations R.5 — An Fórsa Cosanta Áitiúil— dated the 6th February, 1946, were made under the Defence Forces (Temporary Provisions) Acts and were continued in force by Section 298 of the Defence Act, 1954. Amendment No. 65, dated the 7th January, 1960, to Defence Force Regulations R.5 was made under Section 26 of the Defence Act, 1954.
49.
asked the Minister for Defence, with reference to the case of a retired officer and the statement, that in the meantime, having regard to the findings of the Court of Inquiry which investigated the deficiencies, the Department had no option but to withhold from the gratuity payable to (name) sufficient moneys to cover any possible loss to public funds, contained in the Minister's letter to a Member, (a) whether the Court of Inquiry in fact found that the said officer should be held liable for such loss, (b) if he will disclose that part of the findings of the Court of Inquiry which determines the liability of the said officer as intimated by the Minister, and (c) whether any recommendations or comments were made in the said findings concerning the said officer, and, if so, if he will disclose same.
As I have already indicated, it is the practice not to disclose the findings of a court of inquiry such as this.
50.
asked the Minister for Defence, with reference to the stores mentioned by him in his reply to the Debate on Vote 47 on the 22nd May, 1962, if he will state the dates upon which the said stores were inspected (a) by the military authorities and (b) by the civilian officers of the Department in each of the years 1959 and 1960, specifying in the case of every such inspection the inspecting authority.
The answer to the Deputy's question is:—
(a) In November, 1959, on the authority of the Brigade Quartermaster, 2nd Brigade, and in September, 1960, on the authority of the Officer Commanding, Eastern Command.
(b) In November, 1960, on the authority of the Secretary, Department of Defence.
I might add that the stores in question were first established as a unit stores on the 1st October, 1959.
51.
asked the Minister for Defence, with reference to the stores mentioned by him in his reply to the Debate on Vote 47 on the 22nd May, 1962, if he will state the total value of the stores taken over by the Accounting Officer in October, 1959.
The information requested by the Deputy is not readily available in my Department and its compilation would entail considerable expenditure which, in the circumstances, I would find it difficult to justify.