asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether he has received a circular from retired and dismissed members of the R.I.C. setting forth their claims for an increase in their pensions and a readjustment of the terms and conditions of their pensions; and whether, in view of the increased cost of living and the valuable services rendered by these men to the nation, he will consider these claims sympathetically and introduce legislation to remove the anomalies complained of in the existing scheme.

The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative; as regards the second part, I would refer the Deputy to the reply given by me to Deputies Coogan, Byrne and Norton on the 29th November last. While I am, needless to say, fully aware of the valuable service rendered to the nation by the resigned and dismissed R.I.C., I regret that I cannot undertake to sponsor legislation which would have the effect of according them increased pensions at a time when I am constrained by financial needs to withhold such a concession from other deserving classes of pensioner.