Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Acting Leader, Senator Minihan, to convey to the Leader, Senator O'Rourke, a request to invite the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, to report to the House on the lack of support and interest in Government policy pertaining to the Irish Pensions Board. I refer in particular to the lack of interest in this respect among the self-employed. I also wish to include the lack of a pension scheme for the 850 local councillors, who are being neglected in this regard as a subject for debate. I will not be intimidated by well-paid journalists with good pensions from coming out publicly in support of pensions for councillors. Neither the Irish Independent nor the paper barons will prevent me from so doing.

I believe that a scheme could be administered under the Local Government Act 1998. All council staff have a pension scheme and I do not understand why councillors who work full-time, sometimes up to 45 hours per week, should not have the opportunity to avail of a scheme to assist them in their future lives. I would support that and I ask that the Minister be invited before the House to outline the Government's policy in this regard. I believe the Cathaoirleach will support this proposal in his heart although he is constrained by his office from doing so publicly.