Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree again with my colleagues in the Opposition on this issue. Last week, when the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, was in the House I articulated very same points which I will make now. I hate having to repeat myself, but unfortunately it seems to be necessary. I will vote with the Government on the recommendations but I assume and hope the Minister is listening because it is an injustice of an appalling nature. People were persuaded by their line managers to take early retirement and were presented with paperwork outlining their initial entitlements and their entitlements when they reached retirement age. However, the trustees messed up and pensions were cut.

I have no problem whatsoever if a pension or deferred pension is cut, so long as it is fair and equal to everybody. However, where somebody with a pension sees it reduced by 10% but a deferred pensioner sees a reduction of 60%, this is not what I espouse in politics, and I certainly do not think it is what the Labour Party espouses in politics either. The sad reality is many of these deferred pensioners voted for Fine Gael and the Labour Party in the last general election and they feel betrayed and let down. I have no doubt the Minister has heard the human side of this. I was in my office when Senator O'Brien spoke on this issue and I felt compelled to come down and support him on it. It is not too late. The Minister is the Tánaiste of the country and she can make this right if she wants to and I hope she does.