Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Tuesday, 8 July 2025
Committee on Public Petitions and the Ombudsmen
Petition on Pensions and Social Security Legislation
2:00 am
Pat Buckley (Cork East, Sinn Fein)
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I thank Mr. Moran. It is not his first rodeo here so fair play to him. I was a bit taken aback by the Minister's response in saying that the three-year period was sufficient. I do not know who made up that rule or thought it was a great idea. It brings in unbelievable confusion for the very fact that, as Mr. Moran mentioned, the 2020 circular had the same wording in respect of the recognition of same-sex marriages and civil partnerships under the public service original spouses' and children's contributory pension scheme. Nothing in the wording changed. The 36-month condition is the biggest stumbling block.
We are legislators. If we were to change the legislation and remove the 36-month stipulation, what would be the implications for Mr. Moran and whoever else may be affected? Does that condition infringe on where that pension is now? When did it cease?