Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One rarely hears me in here talking about this issue but I respect people who serve the public. I spent three years working as a councillor, so I know the workload. With respect, Senator Norris cannot say the same, although I know that he does a lot. The pay, conditions and entitlements of councillors are worthy of attention and I ask the Minister to tell me where that can happen. I have not seen anything in the legislation for councillors. Democracy relies on councillors. They glean an awful lot of information from the public, their opinions and feedback matter and all of that feeds into the entire democratic system.

I wish to make other points about the section, the first of which is on pensions. As it stands, a huge number of pensioners will not have full restoration of pension under the FEMPI Bill and some have estimated that up to half of retired pensioners will be affected. The Minister can clarify if the estimate is wrong because that is the whole purpose of a debate. If he could give a commitment that the pensions will be fully restored in time, that would be appreciated. Can he give a commitment that people's pension entitlements which they signed up for, paid into and are their right will be restored in time? I am not talking about high flyers or top public servants.I am talking about pensioners who are on marginally above €35,000 a year. I have been speaking to some of them. They are still paying off mortgages, helping their young children by paying college fees and huge rents in Dublin. I had a call from one woman before I came into the Chamber. She had to take early retirement due to ill health. She told me her outgoings are significant and she has a poor quality of life due to the level of these outgoings. The Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, said she felt everybody in this country should have a maximum pension of around €65,000. That was her benchmark. I see much merit in her proposal; that is a very decent pension.