Frances Fitzgerald (Fine Gael)

In recent days there has been a debate on the issue of pensions and, in particular, the entitlements of politicians to pensions and the conditions under which one should keep a pension if one is engaging in public service or continuing as a politician. Today all Fine Gael ministerial pension holders have voluntarily agreed to give up their pensions. Fine Gael will publish amending legislation and ask the Government to accept it to ensure this happens with immediate effect. This is the correct approach. Many other issues arise from the discussion of pensions in recent days. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate on the matter.

I propose to raise two issues related to the National Asset Management Agency. We were informed when the NAMA legislation was being enacted that the new agency would deliver a social dividend. I ask for information on developments in the National Asset Management Agency and whether this matter is being considered. The issue of a social dividend will have be discussed, whether in connection with ghost housing estates we see around the country or land located in the middle of communities that has been transferred to NAMA. Many issues arise in this regard.

I also ask that the Minister come before the House to outline whether there have been developments in the scheme established to assist homeowners struggling with mortgage repayments. As many as 300,000 people may be in this position. The issue must be discussed in detail in the House in its own right.

I am concerned about recent information that has emerged on the women's prison in Mountjoy Prison. The details of the concerns raised by the resigning prison governor give rise to serious issues about developments in the prison. The prison was a model of its kind. The governor indicated there has been a severe deterioration and undue interference in the way the prison is run, which has been very damaging. This is another issue on which the House should have a debate and I ask the Leader to arrange such a debate as soon as possible.