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

I thank the Deputies for raising these issues. The overall effect of this Bill is to bring to an end the income reduction our public and civil servants endured during the crisis. Several Deputies have called on me to end the financial emergency measures in the public interest, FEMPI, legislation. From an earnings point of view this is bringing FEMPI to an end for 90% of those in the public services. For the other 10% who are at the higher end of the income scale, depending on how much they earn, we are committing to do that one or two years after the three-year period of the agreement which this legislation aims to make happen. The difference in respect of this is in the additional contributions we will ask people to make to their pension benefits in the future. We will introduce an additional superannuation payment which in turn will recognise the value of public pensions, given all the changes that have taken place in the availability of private pensions and the fact that we have to ensure we have the revenue to pay for people's pension entitlements in the future.

In response to the demands this evening to end FEMPI, this is ending FEMPI in a responsible and affordable way. That is one of the reasons a majority of those who voted on this agreement voted to accept it. Despite the allegations that I have a hammer in my hand and that I want to penalise workers that is not what this section seeks to do. It simply seeks to recognise that the benefits of the agreement, and in particular the timing of the benefits of the agreement, should recognise those who voted for it as opposed to those who vote against it.

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