Sarah O'Reilly (Aontú)

I thank Ms Barry and Mr. Bowes for coming. They are very welcome. I say "Well done" on the O'Meara case.

I have the same questions as everyone else. On the attempts to remove the pension entitlements from divorced and separated people, what was the rationale in the proposed legislation? Was there any legal basis to it? Is there legislation similar to this in other European countries?

My second question relates to the proof that you are in an intimate relationship. What level of proof is required? What are they looking for in those cases? What constitutes proof?

There is a matter that nobody else has brought up and that is not covered by the Bill. There is an anomaly in situations where a widow is working and receiving the pension of her deceased partner. If that widow falls ill, she cannot claim illness benefit. That affects some women, especially young widows. I understand the double jeopardy rule but the contributory pension is the result of the deceased spouse's PRSI. The widow who is working and falls ill should be able to claim for illness from their own PRSI. Do the witnesses have any thoughts on that? Have they come across such a situation?