John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I will be brief. The pension debate is exercising the minds of many at present. Despite what Deputy Ó Cuív said, the ordinary Joe and Mary Public are very annoyed at the Judiciary, Secretaries General, county managers and retiring Ministers all retiring on huge pensions and also with a large golden handshake. As the Minister, Deputy Howlin, is aware, most people outside of the public sector will retire with probably only the State pension and they are expected to survive on that. From talking to older people, they are concerned that because of the state of the country's finances, the State pension may be reduced in this year's budget or in the years to come. I hope that will not happen. I expect the Minister, Deputy Howlin, as a member of the Labour Party and with his hands on the wheel will ensure that will not happen.

The Bill was first introduced by the late Mr. Brian Lenihan. It is an essential part of the strategy to put the public finances on a sound and sustainable footing and to tackle the burden of pensions in the future. The Minister, Deputy Howlin, and others saw fit to introduce the levy on private pension funds, about which many are concerned. At the time the Taoiseach pointed out that its main purpose was for investment in jobs, which is important considering that we have such a huge number on the unemployment register. When replying, the Minister might explain the amount of money taken in to date through the levy, the amount that has been invested in job creation and the number of jobs created in recent months.

It has been said continually that there would be no change to the Croke Park agreement for pre-existing pension schemes, but there is still a concern among certain sections of the public service. Like the Minister, Deputy Howlin, I visit the County Hall in Wexford and other parts of the public sector where I hear expressions of concern from time to time to the effect that the Croke Park agreement is not as sacrosanct as it could or should be. In his reply I invite the Minister to outline the situation.

The Public Service Pensions (Single Scheme) and Remuneration Bill was first introduced by the late Mr. Brian Lenihan. At the time the Opposition was somewhat critical of some sections of the Bill but the parties now seem to have embraced it. That is a good thing in itself. It will close the gap between public sector and private sector pensions. The levy is an area of concern. The Bill amends existing legislation to provide for a single pension scheme and pension age for all new entrants to the public service. The new scheme is a commitment under the EU-IMF programme of financial support for this country. The troika has been present in recent days. Has the Minister and his colleagues continued discussions on pensions or is this the final version of the Bill? Will there be changes to it on Committee Stage or is the troika happy with the Bill before us? Perhaps the Minister will provide an overview in that regard.

The scheme will apply to new entrants from the operation date. It will link pension benefits more closely to average career earnings. As Deputy Ó Cuív pointed out, the link with average career earnings is a good way to proceed in future but the pensions of Deputies such as the Minister, Deputy Howlin, and I who have been Members for a long time will be affected by the career averaging system when our pension is due in a number of years. I hope we will be present for some time to come. I do not complain. I understand that retiring Ministers and Deputies were not affected but I believe we will be. I have no problem with that. We all have to share the pain.

I welcome the Bill. I ask the Minister, Deputy Howlin, to explain how much has been collected to date by the pension levy and whether the Croke Park agreement will be affected in the future.

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