Paul Coghlan (Fine Gael)

Along with Senator Brian Hayes and others, I welcome the successful conclusion of the partnership talks. I may be wrong, but is this the first time that the pay deal element will run for 27 months but the agreement provides for a ten-year framework?

We have been promised a Green Paper, to which Senator O'Toole referred, on defined benefits with regard to pensions. We know this to be a contentious area in which this country is lacking. As Senator Brian Hayes has stated, there is an ongoing role for the Oireachtas. Some serious questions arise from this matter, and I would be grateful if the Leader would spell out the intended involvement of other Departments, not just the Department of the Taoiseach.