Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Because we have a situation where members of the Defence Forces who go into certain occupations, such as roles with the Irish Aviation Authority, for example, are not subject to pension abatement. The position is similar for Members of the Houses of the Oireachtas or employees of several semi-State agencies. Abatement was brought in to prevent very senior civil servants from taking lump sums and then coming back into the role from which they had retired. In the case of a private soldier who might have a pension of €20,000 a year, however, it seems absolutely outrageous to interfere with his or her pension. I have no difficulty if they say you cannot earn more than you would have as a private, but then they should have a separate salary scale and not touch the pension. There are several cases there. I understand where Mr. Sloyan is coming from. It is a question that it is up to individuals to come to the office if they feel they are hard done by and it will do the best it can.

Is the public sufficiently aware of the role of the FSPO and the powers it has? Is there something we in the Oireachtas should be doing to enhance the profile of the organisation?