Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael)

I thank the Cathaoirleach for his indulgence; I am conscious of the time. I wish to raise a serious issue which I have mentioned before and which has been raised by other speakers this morning, that is, the 268 farmers' wives whose pensions have been removed. They paid their PRSI and they had an expectation that they would receive their pensions. One can imagine the trauma and stress experienced by an 83 year old widow who receives a letter stating she is no longer to receive her pension. It is horrendous and unacceptable. I ask the Leader to intervene personally to have this sorted out and to make a statement to the House on the issue.

I join with other Senators in calling for a responsible reaction by the unions to the social partnership agreement. I hope the agreement is accepted in the interests of the country. However, the greatest obstacle to its acceptance, which must be admitted by the Government, is that a special deal was made for higher civil servants-----