Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)

The pensions industry is an important industry and employer in this country. It is a very important route for many people, providing for pensions through defined benefit and defined contribution schemes. The industry will continue to play an important role. That does not in any way prevent the existence of schemes being offered through State mechanisms such as the NTMA and An Post. We want schemes that will afford the maximum take up at the most reasonable cost to the highest amount of workers from as early in their working life as they are willing to start thinking about providing for a pension. That would leave us all in a happier position.

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