Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The bottom line is that the figures refer to the legal entitlement in lump sum payments to all those who retired and were legally entitled to do so during the current year. Unless one has the Oracle of Delphi, one cannot know in advance who will retire or become ill and take early retirement in the course of a year. The mix is different every year. I do not know the reason the Deputy is being deliberately contentious. I have read some of his recent statements and perhaps the porridge he is eating has caused him to be particularly contentious about various issues. This issue is straightforward. While individual files are subject to confidentiality, I will provide a breakdown of the grades of those who have retired in the past year. There is nothing untoward or odd about the issue and I do not understand the reason the Deputy is being deliberately contentious about it.