Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I move recommendation No. 6:

In page 23, before section 17, to insert the following new section:"17.?The Minister for Finance shall, as soon as may be after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before Dáil Éireann a report on the provision of early access to pension benefits in certain limited circumstances including employer paid contributions, regular employee contributions, self-employed personal pensions and Personal Retirement Savings Accounts.".

The Minister will have seen this proposal in the Dáil. It is something he should consider. While the possibility of people withdrawing funds from their pensions to assist with current difficulties is a welcome initiative, it has been put forward in too narrow a way. The recommendation proposes increasing the range of pension assets which can be accessed for the various people who have made contributions over the years, rather than to stick to the limitations currently envisaged. We would like the Minister to consider the recommendation.