Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)

The Deputy likes to grand-stand. I am conscious that we are speaking here about an individual who has served this State well over a long period. Senior public servants have families. I am conscious we are speaking now about an identified individual. While the Deputy might say I should have known about the TLAC terms since 1987, I only learned of them when I became Minister. Many of the people around the House to whom I have spoken did not know that Secretaries General were uniquely appointed on this basis. While I am reviewing and seeking to change that, I will not pretend I can changed it retrospectively.

The previous Government exercised the 1963 Act, to which the Deputy referred, in December of last year. It made that discernment and decision. Could I have undone it or recommended that it be undone is a point we could possibly debate. However, to do so would probably have been a breach of contact. It certainly would have had legal repercussions for us. I am in the business of reform. I want to reform on a cross public service basis. I have introduced the new pensions Bill, which it is hoped we will be debating next week, which will ensure we have a single pensions scheme across the public service. I will not pretend I can break contracts already in place for people who have legitimate expectations now. Other anomalies may well arise. I am grappling with each of those as they arise to do what is best in the interests of the taxpayer.

I will try do away with the TLAC severance payment. Pension lump sums and pension entitlements will be reduced in accordance with the reduced pay levels which will be applicable from February.

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