asked the Minister for Defence the period for which a commissioned officer holds his commission; and if a retired officer can be recalled for service.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Army Officers' Commissions.
1.
A person who is appointed to be an officer holds his commission until he retires or is retired or relinquishes or resigns his commission or is dismissed.
A former officer of the Permanent Defence Force who has not been granted a commission as an officer of the Reserve Defence Force is not liable to be recalled for service.
A former officer of the Reserve Defence Force is not liable to be recalled for service.
Could the Minister indicate why an officer is retired not on pension but on retirement pay? Could he indicate how this term is used, and what is the interpretation of retirement pay in relation to retired officers?
The Deputy appears to be referring to the case of a particular officer. If he will be good enough to furnish me with the details, I will be very pleased to have an examination made and I will communicate with him or, if he so desires, he can put down a question in connection with the particular case he has in mind and I will be glad to reply to him.
I am not referring to a particular officer. I am referring to all retired officers. NCOs, men, chaplains, and members of the nursing service retired on pension. When officers retire they are on retirement pay. Could the Minister indicate the difference between a person retired on pension and a person retired on retirement pay? What is the interpretation of retirement pay?
It is not unusual for the Deputy to become complicated with his own questions. I am afraid that is so in this case. A reserve officer is not a retired officer; an FCA officer is not a retired officer. One is not retired while serving in any capacity.
I am referring to retired officers and the term "retirement pay" as distinct from a pension. Can the Minister indicate why an officer does not get a pension when he is retired and why he gets retirement pay? Can he give me a definition of "retirement pay" in relation to retired officers?
If the Deputy puts down a question asking for a definition of "retirement pay" I will be very pleased to answer him. He will agree that that is a separate matter.
Question No. 2.
Deputy Dowling will have another chance.