Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

That is a different point of view. I outlined the position for the purpose of setting out the facts.

The second point I want to make to the Deputy is that, as I have outlined already, we took proportionate steps on this matter. We were proactive on it. We decided to reduce the pension and from next term have arranged for its abolition. In the meantime if there are people who wish to gift their pension, that is a matter for those individual pensioners to decide upon. A number of sitting Members of the Houses and other assemblies have decided to do that with their ministerial pensions. It is a matter for each individual to decide that. The Government has to follow the advice of the Attorney General in these matters in all cases. I do not know what the Deputy's advices are, but the advices to us are as I have outlined them.

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