Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)

Deputy Ó Cuív is the Minister for Social Protection and for that reason it would be helpful if he provided assurances for those who are dependent on the State pension that he will not target them again this year. The Minister said earlier that he was looking at all options. I asked him if he was barking up the wrong tree when it came to making savings in the pension area. Is he prepared, for example, to examine high-rollers who can have pension pots of €5.5 million? Is he prepared to examine the possibility of making cuts in that area, rather than targeting people who depend on the State pension? Equally, will he look at the current situation that allows widespread tax evasion by employers, as there is no limit to the contributions they can make to the pensions of company directors? Those are two areas where the Minister could make savings in pensions. Will he give an assurance that he will consider making savings in those areas, while at the same time providing some assurance to those who depend on the State pension?

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