Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Essentially, it is that we would be allowed to move €4.8 million from Vote 36 - the Defence Vote - into Vote 35, which covers pensions. There is not currently sufficient money in the pensions Vote. This is an unusual Department as there are two separate Votes. The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine essentially has one Vote, although it is split between capital and current spending. This Department has two separate Votes, with one specifically relating to pensions for former Defence Forces personnel. The other Vote is essentially for the running of current Defence Forces infrastructure and all the people in it. As there is a slight shortfall in the pension provision, we are providing €4.8 million from the running costs of the Defence Forces and putting it into the pension pot to make up the difference. That is what we are asking people to approve.