Kieran O'Donnell (Limerick East, Fine Gael)

The figures are alarming to say the least. By 2050, 10.41% of GNP will be spent on public sector pensions. I ask the Tánaiste to publish a White Paper as a matter of urgency because, apart from the State sector, a significant number of lower paid people in the private sector have no pension provision.

Current pensioners comprise €30 billion of the €75 billion liability. I presume that ratio will be increasingly skewed towards retirees. It is imperative that we bring proposals to deal with pensions, particular given that the public sector payments will be in deficit by 2009.

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