Paul Gavan (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

It is not good enough.

I want to address the issue of pensions reform. I was a trade union official before I came into this House. The issue of defined benefit pension schemes was one that came up all the time. I do not understand why the previous Government, which had five years to deal with this, failed to do anything about it. It was not as if it was not coming up. I do not think I have ever agreed with Deputy Willie O'Dea about anything but I agree with him on this and I agree with the Bill Fianna Fáil tried to bring in two years ago. I commend Senator Higgins for the work she has done and the coalition that seems to embody almost all of us here. This is why I cannot help thinking that we have missed an opportunity here. So often the Seanad comes in for criticism but it is not our fault today. Everyone has tried to act with good faith to address an urgent situation not just for the staff and former staff of Independent News and Media but for all those affected by defined benefit schemes, yet it is ruled out of order. Perhaps I am showing my inexperience here but I do not understand why this is the case.