Arthur Spring (Kerry North-West Limerick, Labour) | Oireachtas source

It is clear that some of the signatories to this Private Members' motion have brought it forward with the best of intentions. I do not doubt their sincerity. We have an issue with pensions. I share the sentiments of colleagues in the Labour Party that we need to get this right. Our colleagues in the Technical Group have had plenty of time to mull over this and should have done better.

The Fianna Fáil brigade is engaging in an episode of collective amnesia, eager to wash their hands of any culpability for the economic mess in which we find ourselves. Their false outrage at a system which they were happy to maintain in the Celtic tiger era rings hollow. Bertie's cheerleaders and boy band are now using this democratic forum for grandstanding. Let us get to the crux of the motion, which is about kicking a political football up and down this Chamber rather than making things better. Many of the people who signed this motion are here under better terms and conditions of employment than I. Many of them will receive better pensions than I will and many have jobs to return to should they lose their seat in a future election. Those looking for fairness must be prepared to ensure fairness for all.

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