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

I met the Alliance of Retired Public Servants on a number of occasions, including immediately after the conclusion of the negotiations which led to ratification of the public service stability agreement. I do not believe it would be appropriate for it to be given union or formal status. As I said, I have met it and my Department has done its utmost to meet its representatives to hear their views and accommodate them, where possible. I always have to navigate a trade-off. The State has a clear obligation to restore pensions up to a certain point. We have done this by providing for a faster pace of pension restoration than wage restoration in recognition of the fact that their pension is their only source income for the people concerned after their working lives.

They therefore have little opportunity to work more or to earn more. I will continue to meet them where important. I know that this is an issue which the Deputy has focused on and has raised with me a number of times.

See this speech in context