Mark Wall (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Craughwell for tabling his amendment. As other Senators have stated, it is important that we discuss this issue. I note that the Senator has continuously raised this issue in this Chamber. I have read a report he made in February 2016 to the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection, which is not the current committee.

Today, I would like to concentrate on a potential barrier that prevents people from entering public life. Every political party and group encourages young people to get involved. One does not think about pensions when one is young, going to college or a young adult. It is only much later that one thinks one will need a pension in 20, 30 or 40 years but sometimes that is too late, which is why we need a discussion. Senator Lombard is right that we need a cross-party discussion.

Public life and democracy are essential for us all. There should be no barrier to prevent men or women from entering public life. I have spoken to a number of people who lost their seats over the last number of years. Many of them have raised the problems that they have experienced with social welfare and their future pension problems. Today's debate is timely because in the next couple of years, many people will put their names forward for the local elections in 2024. Many of them will be people who will experience public life for the first time and they need to know there is a back-up plan. For many of our colleagues who, unfortunately, lost their seats, for a long time there was no back-up plan. When they went to their local Intreo offices they were told that there was nothing available as they had made no payments during the previous two years, which is a huge problem that must be resolved.

Senator Craughwell has been on this journey for a while. It is, however, time for me and others in the House to start to discuss this issue and to ensure there are no barriers. I hope that the Minster will consider his amendment.