asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state why unemployment benefit is not being paid to Michael Donnelly, Cullenstown, Foulks-mills, Co. Wexford.

A claim to unemployment benefit made by Michael Donnelly on the 2nd December last was disallowed by the insurance officer on the statutory ground that the claimant was not unemployed. He appealed to the Court of Referees and was present at the hearing of his case. Having heard the claimant's statement, the Court recommended that the claim should be disallowed, a recommendation with which the insurance officer agreed. Benefit in these circumstances cannot be paid.