David Norris (Independent)

He is definitely from Queen's County as were my ancestors. Enough of this nonsense.

I am not unusually gifted in mathematics or in the computation of tax figures. All I remember is what affects me. I am not sure whether this means I should be ruled out of order for having a vested interest but I can make a point to the Minister. I was employed for quite a number of years by the College of the Sacred and Undivided Trinity near Dublin, normally known as Trinity College or Dublin University. At a particular period a number of years ago the pension system was changed from one where we were on PRSI and paid the stamp. We had eight or ten years under our belt. I asked whether it was possible to make voluntary contributions and I was told firmly "No". I am not sure whether that was correct and I will not re-open it. I discovered one of my colleagues who retired approximately two years ago successfully made a claim. I pursued this matter with a social welfare office and it emerged that on the strength of my contributions I was entitled to €104 per month. I am not worried about whether I was misinformed on whether I could make a voluntary contribution. However, I wonder whether people such as me are in a position, should they wish, to make this type of claim or is it completely closed off? It was rather an odd situation where the system was changed mid-stream. I am not that bothered about the €104 per month but it is an interesting principle.