asked the Minister for Defence when widows of former members of the Defence Forces will get pension rights; and the amount of their husband's pensions that will be granted to them.

I would refer the Deputy to my reply to a similar question on the 17th February, 1977. It is hoped to finalise the matter at an early date.

A serious situation has developed here in relation to widows of former members of the Defence Forces. As there is a loss of social life because of the duty tours of Army personnel, will the Minister ensure that this matter is expedited? I would also point out that many of the widows are left destitute because of the untimely death of their husbands. It is not enough for the Minister to tell us that this matter is under examination and that he is awaiting a report. Will he indicate the date on which widows of former members of the Defence Forces will get some pension rights?

I can assure the Deputy that I will endeavour to finalise this matter with the least delay possible. I am not unmindful of the problems faced by widows. Last, but not least, one widow—Mrs. Lemass— in the Deputy's constituency must be enduring the most desperate problems because of the unreasonableness of Deputy Dowling.

My constituency appears to be far removed from this question——

I am calling Question No. 4. We cannot allow this matter to develop into an argument.

Is the Minister prepared at this stage to give an undertaking that widows of deceased Army personnel will get pension rights within a short time? I pity the widows in his own constituency whose rights he has probably trampled on from time to time.