asked the Minister for Defence if he will state why a military service pension has not been awarded to Mr. John Isdale, Cheeverstown, Mulhuddard, County Meath.

A military service pension has not been awarded to Mr. Isdale as he did not establish to the satisfaction of the Board of Assessors that he rendered the minimum amount of military service required by sub-section (4) of Section 2 of the Military Service Pensions Act, 1924. A notification to this effect was sent to him on the 6th July last.

Will the Minister say whether, in view of the fact that others, who have given no greater service to the State than Mr. Isdale, have been awarded pensions, he will have the case of Mr. Isdale reconsidered.

I have no power to reconsider it. If Mr. Isdale had sent in notice of appeal and produced additional evidence it would be reheard by the Military Service Pensions Board.

It is extraordinary that there have been pensions awarded to others who had not greater military service, of which I am aware, than Mr. Isdale had.