Ms Orla O'Connor:

I thank the committee for the invitation to make a presentation. The NWCI is the national women's membership organisation and the issue of pensions is critical for women's equality. It is the one issue about which we are constantly receiving phone calls and letters from women who raise it with us in terms of the discrimination they face. When we broadcast on social media that we were attending this meeting, I was immediately contacted by a woman who, having cared for her children and then for elderly relatives, is now not entitled to any pension. She has saved the State a significant amount of money. This is a very important issue. My colleague will take us through the issues.