Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I am concerned that the Minister might have left the impression with senior gardaí in anticipation of retirement and indeed wider than that through the entire public sector that they might relax now and take the Minister's assurance as an assurance that the lump sum will only be taxed in excess of €200,000. I would be concerned that the Minister would have an opportunity to clarify that because he could be the cause of a wave of complacency throughout the public service if they said that a senior Minister of such rigorous composure as the Minister Justice, Equality and Law Reform assures public servants that they will only be hit if the lump sum exceeds €200,000. Perhaps the Minister might thank me for giving him the opportunity to make plain that that is not what he meant. On the other hand if it is what he meant, it is fair that the public service and its unions should know it now. It might be helpful in the context of the discussions going on with the Taoiseach and others at Government Buildings.

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