asked the Minister for Local Government and Public Health to state why he refused to sanction payments of an old age pension to Mrs. Annie McGranaghan, of Tober, Ballindrait, County Donegal.

This claim was disallowed on appeal on 23rd September, 1931, on the ground that I was not satisfied that the applicant had attained the statutory age.

Is the Minister aware that this applicant is unable to procure her birth certificate owing to the fact that no birth certificates were kept there at that particular time? Furthermore, I submitted to the Minister's Department her marriage certificate. Unfortunately no date was shown on it, but I submitted two affidavits by two old age pensioners which furnished conclusive proof that the applicant had reached the required age. In view of that, I should like to know what further evidence the Minister requires to enable this woman to obtain the pension to which she is entitled?

I do not think that the Deputy is correct in saying that the marriage certificate contained no evidence of age.

I have the marriage certificate here and I was quite correct in stating what I did.

My information is to the contrary.

I desire to give notice that I will raise this question on the Adjournment.

I am not prepared to discuss with anybody the details of a claim for an old age pension on the Adjournment.

Deputies have been deprived of the right of access to the officals who are dealing with these matters, and the only way in which they can be dealt with is by questions in this House. Now the Minister attempts to treat the House with contempt. It is my intention to raise this question on the Adjournment. If the Minister is not here to deal with it, it is for the House to deal with him.