Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Today is Thanksgiving Day and there is much for which we can be thankful. I have in mind two newly appointed Ministers, both of whom are former Members of this House, the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly. The Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport is announcing today some developments in the pursuit of road safety, particularly in regard to drugs and alcohol. Senator Sean D. Barrett also referred to this issue. These two men have come into their new jobs with enthusiasm, commitment and energy, as we have seen with the Minister, Deputy Paschal Donohoe, in the case of road safety and the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government, Deputy Alan Kelly, in the case of social housing, an issue to which Senator Ivana Bacik referred. It is a reminder of what can happen if the right Minister is appointed to do something. A lot can be done on that basis.

The reason I mention this issue is that a few weeks ago I raised the matter of pensions and the big challenge it posed for us. The United Kingdom and Australia have a Minister for pensions. Between now and the next general election we must discuss the question of pensions and the solution is to have a Minister for pensions. It is a huge crisis and challenge for the future. Four Departments have responsibility for pensions - the Department of Social Protection, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation which looks after the insurance aspect, the Department of Finance which looks after the major income in the sector and the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. Each Department is holding onto its own piece of the sector, whereas in other countries such as the United Kingdom and Australia and perhaps others there is a Minister for pensions. Between now and the next general election we should make enough noise to ensure the incoming new Government - it will not happen before then - will have a Minister for pensions. It is easier to do it when a new Government is being formed because it will not have to take the task away from four existing Departments. I urge that we have a debate in the coming year - the election could be held in less than one year or perhaps later - on the huge crisis in pensions. The figures are huge. If we do not discuss the issue in the near future, the new Government will end up with the same difficulties as the current Government.