John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I am not surprised that Fine Gael is not going to support the motion because it is not in touch with the ordinary people out there who rely on the contributory pension we are discussing or with the grave inequalities that have been brought about. It is noticeable that the Labour Party Members who introduced these pension reforms back in 2012 have not even appeared in the Chamber nor, indeed, participated in the debate. The motion will be voted on tomorrow in the Chamber. There was a great deal of talk, in particular from Fianna Fáil, and it is also noticeable that there is something absent from the amendment the party tabled. Fianna Fáil has spoken a great deal about the 37% gender gap. It spoke about it yesterday in the Seanad and has referred to it time and again. Yet, the amendment it has brought forward to the Sinn Féin motion does not address the issue at all.

Sinn Féin has provided funding in our pre-budget submission, which was fully costed by the Department. It provided €50 million to reintroduce the State transition pension and also €78 million to bring back the bands to the 2012 levels. If we are serious about ending the injustices about which many Members have spoken, now is the opportune time to do so. I urge all Members to do it.

I thank all those Deputies who have co-signed the motion. Many of them referred to the number of people coming through their constituency offices on a daily and weekly basis and the difficulties that face 65-year olds who have worked for 50 years and more in some cases only to be told they have to sign on for jobseeker's payments. It is wrong, unfair and inequitable and I urge all parties to unite behind the motion and support it.

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