Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The timeline for introduction is 2020. As indicated by the Taoiseach we are potentially facing an election in May 2020. One of the key tasks and areas of work this term for the Government has been the review of the total contributions approach in line with the pensions roadmap. The Minister has indicated that she hopes to conclude deliberations on this matter by the end of this year. I do not want us to move into an election season without having had clarity or a report on the matter. If the plan is to implement this policy in December 2020, we need to have a proper debate now. Thus far, the Department has been consistent in saying that no decisions have been made, no preferred model has been put forward, and no policy has been set. I do not want us to continue in limbo into spring and then find ourselves facing into an election without clarity on this issue and with a new policy effectively in place within a six-month window. We have been awaiting clarity around the Government's thinking on this issue. The Minister mentioned the end of the year. Perhaps she would elaborate.