I have dealt with that. I shall now deal with the next remark which Deputy O.J. Flanagan made. This is a more serious remark because the implications are graver. Here is what he said, according to this copy of the report of the proceedings which I have:
Again, in connection with this Bill —the Finance Bill—
—there is a rumour widely circulating in this House that Deputy Sherwin has been given an IRA pension—
—the type of pension has no qualification—
—which is retrospective for the past four or five years.
—"in connection with this Bill": in other words, because I would agree to vote for this Bill, I would get a pension. There is not a word of truth in it. However, I want to explain that I have been an applicant for a disability pension for the past 30 years. I have been before four medical boards in St. Bricin's Hospital. In fact, I should have had the pension since 1937. That I have not the pension is due to my own folly because I did not apply for it.
However, when things got financially bad with me in 1944, when I found myself on relief, down and out, I decided I would apply for it. I was then told it was too late, that the statutory period had passed. I had already been informed that I would have qualified with no trouble at all. Therefore, three years ago, I decided I would apply again because I found myself in the position that I had no business, no income, nothing except this Dáil allowance on which, as you all know, when all expenses are deducted, you could not live. I realised that owing to my age and because politics are not certain, I could find myself back on relief again.
I have been crippled for 40 years and all the evidence is in Coláiste Caoimhghín. I cannot work. The evidence from seven hospitals and five medical experts and numerous lay witnesses is there. I decided I would apply again. I wrote to the Minister for Defence in 1959 and again in 1961 before the last elections. I am prepared to give all the evidence to any inquiry. I received a reply in March, 1961, that is, six months before there were any elections, that the matter would be considered—an amendment of the Bill to allow me to make my claim would be made. All this has no connection whatsoever with this Bill.
A year ago, a Bill was passed by this House amending the pensions code which allowed certain people, if the evidence was sufficient to justify it, to make an application. All the Fine Gael Party are aware of this Bill. I actually discussed it with some members. Some members of the Fine Gael Party are aware of that situation, including Deputy O'Keeffe, the former Lord Mayor. It would have been no trouble to Deputy O.J. Flanagan to turn around and to ask about the matter and to be told that it had nothing to do with this business at all.
I want it to be known that last January I underwent an exhaustive medical examination. The medical board—doctors, not the Government— decided I was suffering from a serious disability and that I was entitled to a wound award arising out of wounds inflicted on me in 1922. Because I did not agree with the terms of it, I refused to accept it. I refused to sign any documents and I sent it back. The same award was not retrospective.
In other words, what was said about this pension has no connection with this Bill. It was something which was done long before the Bill was ever here. It relates solely to my injuries which I can prove and which have been accepted by a medical board. Therefore, there is no truth in Deputy O.J. Flanagan's statement that I got anything whatsoever in connection with this Bill.
I have never received as much as a stamp for my services in 40 years and, in connection with the Party opposite who are now in Government, I have never had any consultations with them about the Bill. If I got anything, I got a bottle of minerals from Deputy J. Brennan. That is as much as I ever got.
I want to say this, that I did receive offers from the Opposition, not direct offers. I could have been Lord Mayor of Dublin, if I had wished. It was offered to me on a plate. However, I want to object on behalf of all disabled IRA men because of the implication made in this statement.
