Pearse Doherty (Donegal South West, Sinn Fein)

I note from the Order Paper that the House is to discuss the Social Welfare and Pensions Bill 2011 today, the primary purpose of which is to extend to 67 years the qualifying age for a State pension and to 68 years in 2028. I note also the legislation includes the restoration of the minimum wage. However, would the Taoiseach not agree this legislation should be included in a finance Bill as it is a financial matter? The reduction in the minimum wage was introduced by the previous Government in a Finance Bill. Will the Taoiseach agree to bring in specific stand-alone legislation, given there is almost unanimity in this House regarding the restoration of the minimum wage, bar the exception of Fianna Fáil Deputies? Will this be introduced as stand-alone legislation so we can all support this very worthwhile measure?

On promised legislation, on the day we begin to debate extending the qualifying age for a State pension to 68 years, the programme for Government stated that in future, no retired politician will receive a political pension until the national retirement age. The Taoiseach will be aware the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, introduced by Charlie McCreevy in 2004, brought in an exemption that those Deputies elected prior to 1 April 2004 would be able to receive a pension at the age of 50 years and earlier, so the Bill did not affect them. Do I take from the reading of the programme for Government that all existing Deputies prior to 2004 will not be able to get a pension until retirement age?

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