Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I understand Senator MacSharry's concern for people with disabilities in the context of the mobility allowance and the motorised grant. However, I reassure him that the money will be ring-fenced. We had a clear breach of the Equal Status Act here and that is why the Government had to act. There are times when we must heed the Ombudsman and this is one of them. It is very important for people with disabilities availing of these allowances to know that the money will be ring-fenced.

I rise today to welcome the planned legislation to cut the pensions of the highest-paid public servants, including politicians and semi-State CEOs. However, I have two requests in connection with that. First, the legislation must also include bankers who received enormous pensions from State funds as a result of bank recapitalisation and second, that the cut goes further because at present, it does not go far enough. We must show leadership from the top. This House should debate the amount by which pensions should be reduced. I believe the cut should be up to 20% because everyone is taking a cut and those at the bottom are taking a 5% cut. Those at the very top must show leadership. I ask the Leader to arrange for a debate on this proposed legislation in the House because this issue is registering, in a big way, with the public at large.

I am very pleased to see the Central Bank showing leadership with its stated intention to discuss burden sharing with the banks and credit unions for people who cannot handle their debts. That is what I call leadership. We must move on this issue together.

The Government is taking good steps, but let us bring the people with us. They believe that it is okay to suffer cuts because those at the top are also taking cuts.