I will now outline the main provisions of the Bill. Sections 2 and 3 of the Bill provide for an increase of €10 in the personal rates of old age, retirement and invalidity pensions,over age 65, per week. This will bring the rate of old age contributory pension to €157.30 per week and the old age non-contributory pension to €144 per week. This confirms our commitment to pensioners and marks a substantial first step in implementing our intention, announced in the programme for Government, to increase the State pension to €200 per week. In overall terms, it represents an increase of about 59 per cent over the rate payable in 1997, well ahead of the increase in inflation.