Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

For different reasons to Senator Gavan, I too call for us to have a debate on the recent Pensions Commission report. There has been a process and we now have a report. I look forward to reading and dissecting the report from the joint committee so that we can have a debate that involves both reports, which would be beneficial. The concerns I am hearing in my office relate to a proposal in the report of the Pensions Commission to impose PRSI on occupational pensions. A concern that is being raised in letters, phone calls and by people I meet in communities is that there were no pensioner representatives on the Pensions Commission, yet decisions or suggestions were being made regarding pensions. Where was their voice?

The report uses terms like "gesture of intergenerational support" and "social solidarity", and states that the commission considers that everybody, including existing pensioners, ought to contribute by paying more PRSI on other income they might have. People who are occupational pensioners, in particular those in receipt of a State or semi-State pension, did not have an opportunity to pay into a scheme over the years. It is as it is presented to them. As a consequence, their pensions have been frozen for a number of years, albeit for all the right reasons during a time of crisis in our country. They already pay PAYE and contribute. It seems a little unfair. I would like an exploration and understanding of that and have the opportunity to discuss the report in the House.