Seanad Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 2 Mar 1960

Vol. 52 No. 7

Connaught Rangers (Pensions) Bill, 1960 (Certified Money Bill) — Second and Subsequent Stages.

Question proposed: "That the Bill be now read a Second Time."

Aire Cosanta (Caoimhghín Ó Beoláin)

Tugann an Bille udarás reachtúil do'n mhéadú de 6% i bpinsin sheirbhíse agus i bpinsin mhithreora faoi na hAchtanna um na Connaught Rangers (Pinsin) 1936 go 1957 go bhfuil éifeacht air on lú Lúnasa, 1959, agus atá á íoc ón lá sin i leith ar údarás Meastacháin Bhreise le haghaidh pinsean a ritheadh i Dáil Éireann ar an 22ú Iúil, 1959.

'Sé an céatadán seo an céatadán atá iomchuí de réir scála na méaduithe le haghaidh pinsinéirí Stáit, i gcoitinne, a údaraíodh ag an Aire Airgeadais, ina Ráiteas ar an gCáinaisnéis in Aibreán, 1959.

The Bill gives statutory authority for the 6% increase in service pensions and disability pensions under the Connaught Rangers (Pensions) Acts 1936 to 1957 which became effective from 1st August, 1959, and is being paid since that date on the authority of a Supplementary Estimate for pensions passed in Dáil Éireann on 22nd July, 1959. The percentage is that appropriate in accordance with the scale of increases for State pensioners, generally, authorised by the Minister for Finance in his Budget Statement of April, 1959.

Dr. O'Donovan

Can the Minister tell us how many of the Connaught Rangers are now alive?

Mr. K. Boland

Twenty-eight have pensions.

Dr. O'Donovan

What is the average pension of this small number of people, approximately?

Mr. K. Boland

About £83 a year.

Dr. Sheehy Skeffington

I do not want to repeat what I said, and others have said, about the rate of pension here. It is obvious that what we say about the others applies here, too. The 6 per cent. added to a pension of £83 a year is a pretty miserable increase. One point I want the Minister to deal with is why it is apparently impossible to say "Connaught Rangers" in Irish.

Mr. K. Boland

It is not impossible to say "Connaught Rangers" in Irish, but the Connaught Rangers were the Connaught Rangers—a British regiment—and had no Irish name.

Dr. Sheehy Skeffington

"Connaught" seems an Irish name.

Mr. K. Boland

"Connaught Rangers" is the title of a regiment of the British Army.

Mr. Donegan

Coláiste Caoimhin was left without a word.

Mr. K. Boland

The same remarks apply to the increases given—the 6 per cent. which was granted to State pensioners generally. As to the criticism of Senators, the same attitude as in 1956 could have been adopted and no increases given at all. However, the Government thought that when all the other State pensioners were being given this 6 per cent. increase, it should apply also to these people.

Agreed to take remaining stages today.

Bill put through Committee; reported without recommendation; received for final consideration; and ordered to be returned to the Dáil.