asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health whether, in the case of Miss Kate Halpin, of Ballinvullen, Newcastlewest, Member No. 91799 of the Insurance Section of the A.O.H., he has examined the expert evidence forthcoming (and now supplied to him) since the disallowance of this claim for disablement benefit by the Insurance Commission in 1923; and, if so, whether in the light now shed upon the case by such fresh evidence, the Minister can announce any measures to give effect to recognition of the bona fides of the claim.

The appeal of Miss Kate Halpin against the decision of her approved society to discontinue payment of benefit to her as from the 16th April, 1922, was heard on the 16th May, 1923, and the referees appointed by the Insurance Commissioners to hear the appeal, having considered all the evidence, found and awarded that the appellant was not incapable of work and was therefore not entitled to benefit during the period from 16th April, 1922, to 16th May, 1923. Under Section 67 (4), read with Section 81 (15) of the National Insurance Act, 1911, the decision given by the referees is final and conclusive and in the circumstances the matter cannot be reopened.