Joe Behan (Wicklow, Independent)

I support Deputy Burton's contribution on this issue. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to speak on Second Stage. Regrettably, that seems to be a recurring problem since I changed my status. In future, I hope to get further opportunities to give views on matters that come before the House.

I was shocked that the Government, while referring to a fair package of proposals, would state that some of the highest paid public servants in the land should be excused from paying this contribution to their own pensions, as has already been mentioned by the Minister and the Taoiseach. Do judges currently make any contribution to their pensions? Is this the reason it is not being included? It might be the first time those judges make a contribution from their salary towards their pension. If they already make a contribution, I cannot see the difference in making an additional contribution. It seems to me to be the same as the PAYE set up.

Do judges actually pay tax? I presume they do. On "The News at One" last week, a gentleman with legal expertise made the point that, in the past, a judge's widow brought a case to court claiming that her husband should never have been paying tax. The judge in the court threw the case out, which was the reasonable thing to do. We are in a great emergency and we all want to see social solidarity, so it is unbelievable that judges would claim that they should not be subject to the same contributions that lower paid public servants make. It is an indication of the disconnect between some Government decisions and the real needs of the ordinary people of this country. I appeal to the Minister to think again on this matter.

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