Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy has made some very fair points. That is why I am anxious to conclude this issue, to have the report finalised and published and to stay in close contact with the representative bodies throughout that process. However, the Deputy will also know that I do not make all the calls on pensions. In fact, I do not make very many of them at all, even for the Defence Forces in my capacity as Minister for Defence. Pensions policy and any changes relating to it, even for the Defence Forces in a niche area, are matters for the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform and his Department. We are working with that Department. We have asked for clarification on a number of pensions issues and we are waiting for the Department to come back to us on them. The sooner we can bring clarity in respect of this matter, the better.

See this speech in context