Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It would not be a sustainable position for one relatively small group of people in the public service, who in the main are well remunerated, to be granted an additional pay increase on foot of this amendment. It is not clear if the Senators submitting this amendment envisage any other changes in PRSI liabilities and associated cover for relevant officeholders being made. The amendment does not provide for this. It is simply not sustainable or desirable that public officeholders should gain access to the State pension contributory on top of their occupational pension. I understand that the value of public service pensions, including fast accrual schemes such as ours, is something that the Public Service Pay Commission has been asked to take into account in its work. It is not an opportune moment to start recalibrating the take-home pay of politicians or enhancing their benefits.