With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 20 and 21 together.
The former officer of the Defence Forces referred to in the questions had not, prior to his retirement, come under the unfavourable notice of his superior officers in a respect which would have warranted disciplinary action. Certain suspicions arose, however, which resulted in his transfer to new duties. He was not invited to tender his resignation but he availed himself of the right, which is open to all officers of the Permanent Defence Force with five years service or more, of applying for the permission of the Minister for Defence to retire pursuant to sub-section (6) of section 47 of the Defence Act, 1954. This permission was duly granted. An officer so retiring is eligible for retired pay and/or gratuity under the Defence Forces (Pensions) Schemes. Where a pension or gratuity may be granted to any person under those schemes the Minister may, in his absolute discretion, either make such grant or refuse to make such grant or, where in his opinion the person's defaults or demerits while serving so warrant, grant lesser retired pay or gratuity than would otherwise be payable. I have not come to a decision on the application of these provisions to the case referred to by the Deputy.
