Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

The matter is complex. It has always been our intention to try to do it before the end of the year but it will be a long-term strategy. It is not essential that it comes out of the end of the year because it would not take effect for a couple of years in any event. For example, in the UK it does not take effect until 2012 and there is quite a long lead-in period.

Any change in the pensions structure for the future would involve significant benefits for people but also changes to the way they will make contributions in the future, and we must get it right. As I stated, my Department is in active discussions with both Departments to which I referred.

I am not in a position to give Deputy Shortall an exact time as to when that framework will be announced, but we are actively working on it.

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