asked the Minister for Local Government when the legislative proposals on local government pensions, referred to in a letter dated 25th November, 1969, addressed by his Department to local authorities, are likely to be introduced; and if they will include the other legislative proposals referred to in a departmental letter dated 4th June, 1968.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Local Government Pensions.
44.
I am not in a position at this stage to indicate when legislative proposals relating to the matters dealt with in the circulars referred to by the Deputy will be introduced. It will be noted, however, that the benefits for which the circulars provide are being conferred in individual cases, where appropriate, in advance of the enactment of legislation.
Question No. 45.
A psychiatric nurse of a mental hospital authority having not less than 20 years actual pensionable service——
Could the Minister give the date of operation?
——may retire voluntarily when he has attained the age of 55 years.
I asked a supplementary question on Question No. 44.
Deputy Tully wishes to put a supplementary question on Question No. 44.
I was called to answer Question No. 45.
Deputy Tully did not intervene in time.
That is not true. On a point of order. May I ask the Chair does he or does he not intend to rule impartially over the proceedings of this House?
That is a disorderly remark.
It is most essential, unfortunately, in the present circumstances.
Deputies
Withdraw it.
Surely the Minister should be subject to the same rules as anyone else in this House?
The Deputy is being disorderly.
It is bad enough the Minister being ignorant but the Chair condoning it is a bit much.
Deputy Tully.
Will the Minister say the date from which the benefits are operative?
I was not asked that.
The Minister is asked it now. Just in case he does not understand English I shall repeat it. Would the Minister say when the benefits became operative?
Put down a question and I will answer it.
This act has been going on for too long here.
It will go on longer.
The Minister has been showing utter contempt for you, Sir, as well as for this House and he has been getting away with it with people who have only just blown in but I have been too long here to let him get away with this racket.
The Deputy will put his supplementary.
The Minister stated in answer to Question No. 44 that legislative proposals were ready to be put before this House and that the benefits of the proposals had been put into operation in advance of the enactments. I asked him a simple question: would he say the date from which the benefits were to be put into operation? His reply was that I did not ask that question. If he had answered the first question I would have the answer to that, but unfortunately he either does not know or he has not got the common decency to answer a straight question.
If the Deputy wants to know the date he should put down a question and I will answer it.
Question No. 45.
Shall I start at the beginning or continue from where I was when I was interrupted?
Start at the beginning.