Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

I join with Senator Coghlan in asking for a debate on planning. It would be quite timely because the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government is at the embryonic stage of drafting new guidelines for local authorities. The issue of rural housing, the role of An Taisce and that of An Bord Pleanála are matters to which we could turn our minds. Perhaps we could influence the shape of the guidelines so people will be able to live in the countryside rather than running with the agenda of those who visit the country every few years and prefer not to have houses in their way preventing their enjoyment of the scenery. The country should be for the enjoyment of those who live in it.

I subscribe to the call for a debate on PRSAs and the whole area of pensions. It is far too early to dismiss the benefits of PRSAs. This is the first time a Minister has introduced a mechanism whereby people in employment have a statutory entitlement. Those of us who are in the public sector have index-linked pensions that could not be bought in the private sector. We should remember that many people have no pension entitlements through their employments. There is also a move from the defined benefits schemes to defined contributions schemes, which are not as attractive to individuals when they retire.