asked the Minister for Justice if he will favourably consider as soon as possible the claims of widows and orphans of deceased members of the Garda Síochána for an increase in their allowances.

The pensions payable to widows and the allowances in respect of children of deceased members of the Garda Síochána were increased substantially by the Garda Síochána Pensions Order, 1950. I cannot hold out any hope of a further increase at present.

The fact is that those widows receive 17/3 per week. Surely the Minister will not say that it is proper that widows of Gardaí should be in that condition at the present time? That being so, I hope the Minister will not adhere to the opinion which he expressed in his reply to the effect that he cannot hold out any hope of a further increase at present.

I do not, to tell the Deputy the truth.