I move:
That Dáil Éireann approves of the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1969 made on the 15th day of July, 1969, by the Minister for Justice with the sanction of the Minister for Finance under Section 13 of the Police Forces Amalgamation Act, 1925.
The Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1969, which I ask the House to approve, provides for two minor additions to the Garda pensions code, which are explained in the memorandum which has been circulated to Deputies.
Firstly the Order provides that Gardaí with temporary service in the Taca Síochána may now reckon such temporary service in full for pension purposes. Members of the Taca Síochána were recruited in a temporary capacity in 1939, at the outbreak of World War II and they were absorbed into the Garda Síochána proper on a pensionable basis in 1942.
Until 1965, temporary service in the Taca Síochána was not reckonable for ordinary Garda pension purposes. In that year, it was accorded recognition as to one-half for Garda pension purposes, following the making of a similar arrangement in the public service. The present provision, which will enable temporary service to be reckoned in full for pension purposes, brings the force into line with a new arrangement made some time ago in the case of the public service.
Secondly, the order provides for the reduction from six to five years of the qualifying period of service for the payment of marriage gratuities to ban-ghardaí. This also brings them into line with the civil service.
I commend the order for the approval of the House.