Joe O'Toole (Independent)

I am pursuing a similar line to that taken by the Minister of State regarding teachers and the role of the commission and consultation. Now that we have established that the commission did not address the issue of politicians, we can address the issue of consultations with Members on the proposed changes in pensions. Can anyone in the House indicate what consultation process we were involved in with the Minister for Finance and his Department in this era of partnership?

Having spoken to the Minister ten times on this issue, he has developed a sore ear from listening to me. In many ways, he is a great man and I am fond of him, but he is completely wrong in this regard. The commission did not express a view on the matter, no consultation took place with Members and the proposed changes have been simply dumped on us. The most attractive aspect of this is that one can do anything with politicians and they will never fight back. If the matter in hand relates to politicians at a personal level, they will put up with anything thrown at them. Even when his party colleagues question the reason he has taken this approach, the Minister of Finance tells them he has taken a decision, which is final, and gets away with it.

It is unbelievable that it is coming down the line at us like this with no consultation. No other group of workers would put up with it. It is not that he disagreed with or rejected representations. It was as if we did not exist. He has told us what the story will be, that we will find it in the post on Tuesday week and that we should read it and get on with it and that is that. That is wrong. I am sorry to have taken up so much time. I believe that my most reasonable and visionary amendments will be at least helpful in moving this forward. I recommend them to the House and ask Members on the other side to reject party affiliation for a short while in the interests of the future.