In the interest of order I did not wish to interrupt the Minister but I should like to hear from the Minister on the proposition which I was making, that is, to invite the Oireachtas to give him the power to make ex gratia payments in the kind of cases that I indicated where they should be made. I think that this is probably the most appropriate section to bring it in until because this could be done by way of regulation without having recourse to any particular enactment. I think this is the kind of power that the Minister should have, discretion to make payments in cases of that kind that I have indicated where something goes wrong and the Minister might have some doubts in his mind and where he would have strong representations made to him to make a payment. I think he should have the power to make an ex gratia payment.

I have not the power at the moment.

I know that. I am asking the Minister whether he would recommend to the Government that they should seek that power. It is a power I think the Minister would use sparingly but a power that he should have.

That is a suggestion I would have to examine carefully. I notice in making it the Senator is confining it to a payment in respect of a death in which the Department of Defence might be regarded as having some responsibility. Is that exactly what the Senator means? I am not misunderstanding him?

Yes. I should be glad if the Minister would make an arrangement in regard to this. I know he would be sympathetic. It is a question of not opening the matter too widely. I would think the power which he, as Minister, would have should be used sparingly. I have no doubt that there would be cases where the gratuity I suggest should be made.

I will have that examined.

I should like to refer the Minister again to the question of the provision of burial expenses in regard to necessitous cases——

If this were raised on the Fifth Stage it might be more appropriate.

Bill received for final consideration.

I should like the Minister to consider again this question of hospital treatment. I do not want to mix up two things in this. I was referring entirely to disability pensioners. They are, after all, awarded because of disease during service. Special allowances are awarded because of inability to self-support. They are two very different things. I was referring only to the thousand or so pensioners who come under this Bill. Secondly, would the Minister consider again the possibility of making some provision for burial allowance? We will not have any land left soon but I think something should be done in that respect.

Might I say to Senator O'Sullivan that the trouble about admitting disability pensioners is that pressure would be put on to extend the concession to medal holders. It is not easy to resist pressure of that nature. The payment of a burial allowance is something new. Those are matters which can be considered, but the decision really rests with the Government I will have both matters considered.