Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

I do not intend to delay the proceedings of the House but there was an issue that arose on Committee Stage in the context of these amendments. I was not part of that committee but it seems to me that the Minister has not properly addressed the issue of uniformed officers. I read the Committee Stage debate with interest but I believe there is still room for further clarification. I have a problem with an extraordinary situation whereby prison officers from my constituency, and all uniformed officers, appear to come out of this worse than other grades. How can that be?

Recently, a submission was made to the Minister's Department on the matter. While it cannot be dealt with today, I would hope that the Minister will examine the issue in the course of the Seanad debate. It is an issue that was addressed on Committee Stage but it has not been clarified in the interests of parity and fair play. Why should uniformed officers be at a loss regarding the new pension regime changes? It is neither fair nor equitable and it should be examined before this Bill is finally completed in the Oireachtas.

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