I again raise the issue of Private Michael McNeela from Dundalk, who as a 21-year-old member of the Defence Forces made the ultimate sacrifice while peacekeeping in Lebanon. His mother, Kathleen, received an allowance or pension. Sadly, she died last year and Michael's father, John, was not able to receive this payment. We are talking about €342 per month. I have had a number of engagements with the Tánaiste and officials on this. I know the Department of Social Protection was dealing with the Department of Defence. I am not very hopeful of that process providing a solution, although I am very glad it happened. I see the only solution being that the Army Pensions Act would be updated and that this would happen as soon as possible. John McNeela is 84 years of age. We are talking about a very small number of families, but families who have made a huge sacrifice for this country, so they should be looked after. As long as it takes to get that legislation right, in the short term we need to find an administrative solution, an interim solution, because the situation now is unfair.

It is mean-spirited and wrong. The Tánaiste has said that he is sympathetic and supportive and that there is a legitimate policy question here.

I sincerely thank Deputy Ó Murchú for raising this case on a number of occasions and for the positive engagement that we have had. I want to put on record today my sympathies to the McNeela family and, in particular, to John McNeela on the loss of his wife, Kathleen, and, indeed, their son, Michael, who died while on peacekeeping duties in Lebanon. He served the State with distinction and I want to thank him for his service and acknowledge that as well.

This is a hard case and it relates to a request to transfer a dependant's allowance. I have been convinced, though, that the current system is unfair. It is mean-spirited and we need to fix it. I am pleased today to tell the Dáil and to tell Deputy Ó Murchú that, following an meeting with my officials yesterday, I have now directed them to prepare legislative change so that this pension allowance can be paid in the case of a dependant.

It will require legislative change. I have to be honest about that. I will look for the appropriate vehicle, whichever is the quickest vehicle, to bring it in. We have two defence Bills likely in the coming period of time. I see Deputy Conway-Walsh is here and I am sure we will work constructively on trying to make progress in getting this through as well. I am happy to keep in close contact with the Deputy on it.