asked the Minister for Defence if he will accede the right of appeal to old IRA veterans regarding the findings of the Pensions Referee concerning the rank that they held in the IRA from 1916 to 1922.

The determination of the grade of rank of an applicant for a service certificate under the Military Service Pensions Act, 1934, was solely a matter for the referee appointed under that Act. The findings of the referee are final and conclusive and I have no discretionary power in regard to them. An amendment of the Act is not contemplated.