John Lahart (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The Minister is a breath of fresh air. The two previous speakers stole my thunder because I came in intending to say what they said. On behalf of my constituents, I thank all the officials in the Department for keeping the show on the road. What the staff of the Department of Social Protection have done throughout the country has been very underestimated, particularly when one considers that even now it is impossible to get in touch with line officials in other Departments, as was the case heretofore. I ask the Minister to please convey the thanks of the constituents of Dublin South-West.

In the context of my question, I ask the Minister to outline the status of the commitment to benchmark pension rates to salaries and inflation, as contained in the Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2020-2025, and to make a statement on the matter.

See this speech in context