Paudie Coffey (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Fitzgerald's call for a debate on pension entitlements. I hope sitting TDs and Senators in receipt of the ministerial pension relinquish it in the national interest. As actions speak louder than words, it is about time we started to show leadership in both Houses of the Oireachtas. It is welcome that Ireland's European Commissioner has relinquished her pension. She is on quite a salary in her current position. I have heard the call from the union leader, Mr. Jack O'Connor, who was exerting pressure from the trade union perspective. While I do not have a problem with this, union leaders should look at their own membership, including those who continue work after retirement, including teachers and nurses. Retired Civil Service workers in receipt of pensions are taking up employment and preventing young graduates from doing so and gaining experience. We should review all of these aspects and have a full debate on pension entitlements.

One of the scourges of modern Irish society is heroin. I ask the Leader to make provision for an early debate on the impact and consequences of heroin usage. Many families face huge debts owing to those unfortunate enough to be addicted to heroin. This is one of the biggest challenges facing young people in society.