Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

I am talking about the lived experience of 500,000 retired workers who are represented by the people who met the previous Minister of State, Deputy English, with me. There are quite a few retired workers' organisations. They represent a significant cohort of retired workers, but these people are not retired voters. They paid into occupational pension schemes, which basically comprises their deferred wages. Whenever that is being tampered with in order for the Government or another party to achieve other means, they want to sit at the table to have their voices heard. Telling them they have access to an ombudsman, an equality officer or, within six months, the WRC is not going to cut the mustard because they have been down that alley and had negative experiences and it does not do it for them. I refer to people in their late 70s or 80s who are willing to fight this. If the Government cannot come not come up with the solution, it should let them know that and they will talk to one another and decide on their next steps.

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