Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the people who were prohibited from getting that safety net below the first year. However, those who were on high incomes have the private pension tax relief and those schemes. That is where the very high earners in any organisation are very much being subsidised in terms of our private pension tax relief system, which we have discussed previously, whereas the guarantee most people want, which is to be able to pay into a guaranteed safety net, so to speak, is a way forward. It is interesting that, within that core, the very high earners will go one way and the others will go the other way.

My specific question relates to Mr. Kelly's presentation, although others may wish to comment, in terms of when we come to grapple with this Bill when it comes back to us. I refer to the triple lock system that represents a block in terms of increases. What specific measures are required in that regard? Is it to push for transparency in the way that is exercised? Is it about ensuring that employer approval is removed completely from that process? In terms of the scheme solvency, minimum funding standard and actuarial opinion and assumptions, there are many hoops to jump through before an increase is given. Should removing that extra hoop of employer approval be the first move we should make? Is it to do with transparency? How can we navigate those three hoops to ensure it is not functioning as an effective block, which is the case now?