Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

There is obviously a broad array of questions that I could ask. I will just focus on the issue of pensions reform because I know the Government published a roadmap on it recently. The Oireachtas has been waiting since last year for Government amendments to the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill to deal with issues that affect defined-benefit pension schemes, in particular. The Taoiseach will be aware that there are ongoing and growing numbers of disputes over pensions provision. He will know the controversy over the CIÉ pension scheme. There is a certain irony in that the staff of Irish Life, the largest pensions provider in the State, went on strike last week because their own defined-benefit scheme is to be suspended as and from June. When will the legislative provisions to deal with these matters be advanced?

The Bill is in limbo since last year. Will the budget include provisions for auto-enrolment in pension schemes in order that robust provision can be made for people's pensions into the future? The Taoiseach will recall that we, in government, substantially changed the public pension scheme to make it affordable into the future. We need to have general provision throughout the economy for pensions into the future. Will there be a State contribution alongside contributions by employers and employees to ensure robust payments are set aside to provide properly for ageing citizens?

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