Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

This issue arose previously. I acknowledge that the Tánaiste explained the basis of his decision without mentioning names or sums of money. I accepted the Tánaiste's principle, namely, that we may not have had all the details regarding costs, but we did not seek the details. We accepted the principle as fair and I will not change my opinion because of the furore, as the principle the Tánaiste enunciated is not unreasonable. If this is the only area of pensions within the public service to which such a restriction applies, it is not fair that someone should fall foul of it. It would be hypocritical to change our opinions now that there is a great deal of discussion about the individual and the amounts involved.

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