Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I do not want to dismiss the Deputy's suggestion but actuarial advice is available on an independent basis to the Pensions Board, which has a statutory remit on advising the Government on pensions policy generally and is one of the vehicles through which we are proceeding with the pension policy review. It is a matter of examining that and deciding whether a case can be made. There is also a requirement on many agencies and State boards when submitting their annual accounts to report problems that arise in respect of pensions or where the sustainability of finances has to be addressed in the event of some major pension liability.

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