Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I believe I understand everything the Minister has said, but I ask him to clarify that the legislation he introduced to set up the single public service pensions scheme which will link pensions with the CPI rather than pay increases will reduce the amount payable to pensioners by €16 billion, in addition to the €16 billion reduction since December 2012. This represents a further reduction in the pension payments people will receive. Under the Haddington Road agreement, pension reductions were agreed to, but the pensioners were not allowed into the room when the issue was being discussed. That was wrong and grossly unfair. The Minister recently met some of the people affected and I hope this mistake will not be repeated. The pension-related deduction introduced under the FEMPI legislation is resulting in a significant net saving to the Exchequer. Is it the Minister's intention to continue this? There are reports in several newspapers today on the Waterford Glass pensions fund and the fact that the State is having to come up with funds for it. In that context, I highlight the position of Bord na Móna pensioners whose pension contributions have been frozen for many years. In some cases, it is those waiting for their pension entitlements, that is, deferred pensioners and those in payment, who are suffering the most.

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