Mr. Oliver Shanley:

I am talking about myself and expect that the other ex-members will do the same. I got a letter referring to the option of taking the money or having it held on to. I was never advised to seek legal advice on that. It was left to me. At that stage, I had five children. I left a job and was seeking another. I was apprenticed, which meant that I got little pay. The option was placed in front of me, so what would I do?

As to the people covered after 1 October 1976, the amount that was given to them was assessed later and deducted from whatever payout they were allowed.