David Cullinane (Sinn Fein)

Certainly in 2012, an increase from 156 contributions to 260 is envisaged. This is an increase from three years' contributions to five years'. This is similar to the debate that took place earlier on the disablement allowance payment in that Sinn Féin is concerned that this, again, could be a slippery slope, as the threshold appears to be increasing all the time. The number of contributions necessary to qualify for a widow's pension appears to be increasing all the time. Moreover, as Sinn Féin, in principle, believes people should be entitled to such pensions, it cannot support the incremental increase that appears to be built into the section.