Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

Yes. The public at large is very angry about the mismanagement of the public finances. This is an issue which has been around for some time. It is unfair to have a situation where some do and some do not surrender their pensions. My view and that of my party is that the Government can legislate for this in the same way as the Taoiseach said property rights were affected in 1992. They will also be affected after the next election. All the members of my party who are so affected are prepared to give up voluntarily ministerial pensions. I understand the members of the Labour Party who are entitled to these legitimate pensions are voluntarily prepared to give them up. Is the Taoiseach prepared to speak in the House, call in the members of his party and arrive at a similar position if he is still reluctant to introduce the legislation or prepared to vote it down next week?

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