Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

I move amendment No. 28:

To delete pages 33 and 34 and in page 35, to delete lines 1 to 20.

Deputy Fleming has tabled an alternative amendment to this one. The crux of the issue is the difficulty with the fast accrual calculation. A lengthy exchange took place in respect of the fact that everybody under the new scheme will be less well-off in terms of their pension entitlement and it will be a matter of degree. The difficulty that arises for particular categories of workers in the Garda Síochána, the Defence Forces, prison officers and fire service employees is that they do not have as long a working life as others for operational reasons. Therefore, a fast accrual system applies to them.

I am aware that in the drafting of the legislation there was contact with the union representatives of these workers and that complicated equations and algebraic formulae were passed over the table in the effort to get things right. However, I am reliably informed by these workers that they will be disproportionately affected by the terms and provisions of the fast accrual system. They were are at pains to say that they are not looking for special treatment. They understand the legislation means a level of pain for all public sector workers and appreciate that, but they think they are being unfairly treated.

I do not believe that in the course of the lengthy discussions between the Department and the unions a satisfactory arrangement was reached for these categories of workers, whose virtue it should be borne in mind is regularly extolled by politicians and Members of the Dáíl. For that reason, my amendment proposes the deletion of the proposals for the fast accrual system because, as envisaged, it is not right. Deputy Fleming's amendment calls for the Minister to publish a report on the implications of the new scheme for the Garda, the Defence Forces, prison officers and so on and I imagine he is concerned about the same issue as myself. It must be emphasised that for these categories of workers, who take on very arduous tasks, it is not fair or right that they be in a less advantageous position in the new scheme, but that they will be disproportionately affected as against other public service workers. This does not tally with the kind of rhetoric we hear so often congratulating them on their efforts on our behalf. I support Deputy Fleming's effort to have this issue addressed also.

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