David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)

That means we will have a debate on this issue and have the options before us. However, we already have the options before us in that the Pensions Board has issued two reports and there was an intense media debate on the issue. We now need concrete proposals from the Government. We have had many discussions, debates and reports but no action.

Is it correct that 53% of Irish women have no private pension coverage, as the Minister suggested, and that 43% of men have no such coverage? While the Minister is fiddling with all the reports, this issue is continuing to feature. When will we see action? The Minister has issued many press releases on the subject. How serious is he taking it? How serious is the so-called pensions time bomb for workers or is it all a mirage?

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