asked the Minister for Finance whether the Executive Council have yet arrived at any decision in regard to the question of introducing proposals for legislation to provide pensions for widows and orphans.

asked the Minister for Finance if he is now a position to indicate what action he proposed to take following the examination of the proposal to afford pensions to widows as agreed to by the Dáil.

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 3 and 4 together. I would refer the Deputies to the replies given to previous questions on this subject. The actuarial investigation has not yet been completed, and it has not there fore been possible for the Executive Council to arrive at a decision.

Is the Minister aware that three years practically have elapsed since this question was brought before the Government and that this House has called upon the Government to ascertain the details in regard to it? Will the Minister let the House know the reason for the unnecessary delay that has taken place?

The difficulty of procuring the material for the actuary and the complexity of the subject.

Does the Minister seriously urge that it takes almost three years to do that?

It might take more.