Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy's question is whether we are entitled to change contractual arrangements arrived at, agreed and signed off on. The Government has made two appointments, both of which were subject to the approval of the Minister for Finance, and they are in line with the cap. I am not sure how the conditions of contractual arrangements previously arrived at are vested. In terms of the legal position on the level of pension paid, the Minister for Finance has set out the legal constraints imposed upon him. This is an issue of enormous concern to the hard-pressed and challenged public in these economic circumstances. I hope the persons in receipt of extraordinary pensions reflect on the issue of moral responsibility in these challenging times.

The Government will present the 2013 budget in the first week of December. It will try to reflect the budget in as equitable, affordable and fair a manner as possible. The issue Deputy Ross raises, quite rightly, as a matter of public concern is one on which we will reflect. I will reflect on the role and responsibilities of public interest directors in the banks in the context of the expansion of the remit of the Cabinet sub-committee dealing with mortgage arrears and banking in general.

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