Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I am engaged in neither kite-flying nor seeking to have a bargaining chip in advance of future negotiations. I have outlined the process for dealing with this issue. In recent years, the link between pensions and pay was broken.

That was done to ensure that pensioners could be treated differently in recognition of their no longer working. The levy on pensions is on track to being reduced at a faster rate than the levy on wages. All other matters relating to future pension and pay policy will be dealt with in the way that I have described.

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