Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

The Leader will be aware that some years ago the Government introduced a new savings scheme to allow people to save money in order to have some kind of pension entitlements in the years ahead. PRSAs were first introduced by the Minister for Social and Family Affairs in an Act that went through both Houses of the Oireachtas. Following a year in operation, it is quite clear that the scheme is a dead duck. People are not buying into what were supposed to be low cost, flexible pension schemes. The original report from the pensions commission suggested that if there was a low take-up of these new pension schemes, the Government would look again at ensuring employers would commit more to pension schemes for their employees. I put it to the Government that this scheme is not working. There is already a pensions time bomb coming down the line and private pensions must be provided for. I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate with the Ministers for Social and Family Affairs and Finance on this matter.

Has the Government taken a final decision on whether it will progress plans for a new stadium at Abbotstown? During the last election campaign the current Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform called it a Ceaucescu-like development. What is the Government's current position on this proposal? It is clear the public supports the redevelopment of Lansdowne Road over the new proposal for Abbotstown and, therefore, we need to have clarity on the matter.