asked the Minister for Defence whether he is aware that the application of a person in Enneran, Bawnboy, County Cavan, for a military service pension has been under consideration for several years, and if he will state when this man may expect to have a decision in his case.

An application received on the 7th April, 1951, from the person referred to by the Deputy is at present under investigation by the board of assessors who hope to be in a position to furnish their report at an early date.

asked the Minister for Defence if he is aware that there is general dissatisfaction with recent decisions of the Military Service Pensions Board set up under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1949; and, if so, whether he has satisfied himself from reports he has received from various quarters that there is justification for this dissatisfaction.

General dissatisfaction no doubt exists amongst persons who have been unsuccessful in their claims to military service certificates. This is understandable.

I am, however, satisfied that the referee is dealing with all cases which come before him strictly on their merits.

Is it not a fact that one of the topics of discussion at the Fianna Fáil Ard-Fheis last week was the decisions arrived at since June 12 months?

No, it would not be correct to say that at all.

Further I may assure the Minister that there is grave discontent. What is more, people are very perturbed at going to face the same referee who tried their case in 1945.

That is giving information. It is not asking a question.

asked the Minister for Defence if he will state (a) the number of applications for military service pensions heard from 30th September, 1951, to 30th September, 1952; (b) the number of applications turned down, and (c) the number of cases in which pensions were awarded.

The number of applications for military service pensions disposed of by the referee and by the board of assessors during the period from 30th September, 1951, to 30th September, 1952, was 1,226. The total number of negative reports furnished by the referee and by the board of assessors in the period was 838 and the total number of affirmative reports was 388.