Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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I thank the Deputies for the amendments. I do not propose to accept them. There are provisions in the Bill which remove the eligibility of those who are divorced to the bereaved partners contributory pension, as we have discussed. The Bill attempts to treat each cohort as equally as possible. That means the eligibility for bereaved partner's contributory pension would end on divorce, similar to the loss of eligibility due to remarriage or becoming a qualified cohabitant. The Bill contains a saver clause for anyone affected by the rule changes who is already in receipt of a payment. They will not lose their payment. Our concern is that the effect of the amendment would be to remove the saver clause provided for those already in receipt of the pension before enactment which would be unfair to those currently in receipt of the payment.