Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for her reply. I appreciate that I am chucking my point at her coldly. It is not always easy to have the answer at one's fingertips. I accept that some of the thinking is driven by what happens generally in the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. I do not necessarily share the Minister's view on expertise in that Department. There is still considerable waste across the public service that has not been tackled at all, but sin scéal eile.

Consider the implications if what I have read is true. I will be happy to accept a note on it rather than putting the Minister on the spot. I understand that prior to the date of the change, somebody with 15 years of service would get 15 fortieths by way of pension. I understand that from last year on, one would get three eightieths. If from now on one must serve 20 years — this can be clarified in the note and I am not looking for a response now — will it mean that, since three eightieths multiplied by 20 is 60 eightieths, one could actually get a pension worth 75% of one's salary? That would be a huge increase on the 50% that applies at present. It would be extraordinary if it were the case. I doubt that it is. Could I have clarification on it? If the Minister does not have the details to hand, I will have no difficulty in waiting for them.