Maire Devine (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

With regard to pensions, most of us roll our eyes to Heaven when we hear the complicated, mumbo jumbo jargon but I thank Senator Bacik, and David Parris, for introducing a Bill that is short, sweet and that people understand and welcome. I am delighted to support this amendment to the Pensions Act 1990. It rightfully grants equality to many persons who have been denied it for far too long. It is timely legislation and ensures we are progressive in terms of making Ireland a more fair and equal place in which to live and grow old. The Bill rightly has support across the House.

Pensions are very important as eventually we will all get to our third age when we can live well - as we were expected to - and reap the benefits of what we have paid into over a lifetime and not be discriminated against. The Minister thinks I am always being a grinch when I speak here, although I probably need to be more of a grinch, but while I welcome this Bill, there is a big job of work to do on the entirety of pensions legislation. The gender gap with regard to pensions remains one of the highest in Europe. We need urgent reform of the State pension scheme, which is unstable. Those who reach the age of 65 are now contracted to retire at age 67, and later at the age of 68. Will they be forced onto the dole for the extended period of time until they are entitled to claim their pension?

I do not want to sound like a grinch but pensions were the first easy pickings when the economy crashed and we have not got back to where we should be in that regard. Defined benefit, DB, schemes were discontinued by the majority of employers who brought in defined contribution, DC, schemes, which are the poorer, cheaper relation and from which there are greatly reduced payments and benefits for people who have contributed over a long time.

Go raibh míle maith agat to Senator Bacik and well done, David. If this country continues to progress, some day we will not have anything to complain about.