Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

When asked about the recent away day of the Pensions Board, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan, stated she would not interfere in the matter as the event had been paid for by the occupational scheme and PRSA providers. Therefore, she said, the taxpayer had not paid for it. I ask the Leader again to raise the matter with the Minister. I have been contacted by many pension plan holders who have watched as their pensions devalued significantly and they are extremely upset at the manner in which the Pensions Board used funds for its away day in County Wicklow. The Minister's refusal to interfere with the running of the board at a time when so many pensioners are extremely concerned is a serious matter. The case has similarities to social provision provided by the tyre company, Advance Pitstop, to the Garda Síochána, for which it was brought to book. Pension providers should not fund away days for the Pensions Board.