Batt O'Keeffe (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)

The former Minister applied for the pension in September 2006. The case was put to the Tánaiste when this Bill was being prepared in March 2007 and a recommendation was made to amend the legislation in line with the legislation covering public and civil servants to do away with the anomaly. The Tánaiste agreed to this. The Bill was published on 20 April 2007 and has been in the public domain since. I refer the Senator to section 16 which clearly outlines what the Minister for Finance intends to do in terms of pensions legislation. It is there for all to see. With courtesy to Opposition Members in the Dáil, they specified the case and asked questions. The Tánaiste and Minister for Finance was transparent in telling them it was part of the Bill and that there is a former Minister who would be given his entitlements under the changes made in this Bill.