asked the Minister for Defence if he will state on what grounds a military service pension was refused to Mr. James Ryan, Kilclooney, Lisheen, Templemore, County Tipperary.

Mr. Ryan's claim to military service for the purposes of the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924, has not yet been decided by the Board of Assessors constituted under the Act, to determine such service. The Board has, however, notified Mr. Ryan that the evidence already given in support of his claim is not sufficient to establish as fact that he rendered service necessary to qualify him for a pension and has given him an opportunity to submit new evidence. It is therefore not quite correct to say that a pension has been refused in the case.