Government to fast-track law change for Dundalk soldier’s widowed father

The government has committed to change the legislation as quickly as possible so that the father of Dundalk Defence Forces member, Michael McNeela, will be able to receive a small pension.

The news was relayed by Tánaiste Simon Harris in the Dáil yesterday to Louth Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú who first raised the matter with the Minister for Defence in May.

Deputy Ó Murchú used his slot at Leaders’ Questions to ask Minister Harris about the case of Pte. McNeela’s father, John, who was told by the Department of Defence that he would not qualify for the continuation of the €342 per month pension paid to his late wife Kathleen.

The Louth TD said he believed the only solution was for the Army Pensions Act to be updated and asked that it happen as soon as possible. 

He said: “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 said he was very sympathetic to the case and has been convinced that ‘the current system is unfair’. 

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Minister Harris said: “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 a 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 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”.