Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)

The figure of €75 billion for the public service certainly is scary. As a previous estimate suggested the social welfare liability was at least double that again, which would give a figure in the region of €230 billion. As this is 120% of GNP, it is a substantial liability. Does the Tánaiste share the view repeatedly expressed in reports from the EU, the IMF and others that Ireland is not planning adequately to meet the challenge of the so-called pensions time bomb? If not, what is the thrust of his proposals to prepare Ireland more adequately for this challenge?

Based on previous estimates, my understanding was that the figure in question was approximately €50 billion. As it now has risen to €75 billion, what caused the sudden adjustment upwards by what appears to be 50% from the estimates I had seen in the past? As this came as a surprise to me, how did it come about?

See this speech in context