Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Moran for his excellent presentation and both him and Mr. Scully for attending and giving of their time. Regarding the calculation of €13 per week in actual loss, is Age Action taking into account the fact that normal inflation rules do not apply to people over the age of 65 years? Normal inflation takes into account luxury goods and high-end items, for example, aircraft, super cars, etc. Were one to use the pattern of stuff that people over the age of 65 years generally buy as the measure of inflation, one would probably arrive at a larger figure.

Does Age Action have a costing for a reversal of the 2012 rule change to the eligibility criteria? How much would it cost the Exchequer per annum? Two changes would be required. Obviously, the original averaging system would have to be restored and we would have to reverse the change in the criteria and move from 520 contributions to 260.

In net terms, how much would it cost to restore the retirement pension to 65 years of age? It is a net issue rather than a gross one, given that people now receive jobseeker's allowance or benefit of €193.50 instead of the €238 or whatever it was.

Mr. Moran made an interesting observation on the proposed auto-enrolment system and its capacity to undermine the current State pension system. He might elaborate on that interesting point.

Mr. Moran mentioned reducing tax relief to 33%. It is available at 20%, which is the bottom rate, and the top rate of 40%. Is Mr. Moran suggesting that the top rate - the marginal rate - at which relief can be given should be reduced to 33%? He is not suggesting that people who can only qualify for relief of 20% should-----