Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

It is important to have a full and frank debate on the national pensions framework, which was published yesterday and provides food for thought. It is vital to get all sectors of society to buy into Ireland's future pension commitments. Those of us who are realistic accept the need for an increase in the retirement age. At present, for every six workers there are two people on pensions, but that will change. In 40 years' time, there will be two workers for every person on a pension. It is absolutely wrong to defer the tough decisions that have to be made. I would welcome a debate on yesterday's publication of the framework document. On the security of pension systems, we have to learn lessons from the examples of Waterford Glass and SR Technics over the last number of months. We have to ensure the future pensions framework takes that into account.