Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I can categorically say "no", but I am not sure to what the Deputy is referring. Nothing has been watered down. The amendments have not been drafted. I do not know what the Deputy is referring to or what she is holding in her hand. What we released in the heads of the Bill are currently being drafted in amendments. There are no changes, no lessening, no meetings with anybody.

I have to put on the record that my husband works in Irish Life but he works in IT. I have not been lobbied by anybody in Irish Life. To my recollection, I meet Ibec regularly but it is usually with regard to the Employment Bill and not this particular Bill. I will have to check my records but I do not recall having been lobbied on this particular Bill. Let me be very clear; it would not make a blind bit of difference to me because the intentions are set. They are clear. They were set a year ago, as Deputy Collins has said.

Yes, we are all waiting for the amendments. I am awaiting them as eagerly as the Deputies are. I am told they are very close to being finalised. I am also told they are very complex. When we talk about pensions people put on that kind of pinchy face as if it is complex and most people do not understand it. What I understand is that the obligations and objectives of this legislation are to ensure there is a set of rules that is fair to both the employers and employees in defined benefits pensions going forward. The sooner we get the amendments and get to Committee Stage the better for all of us.

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