Gerard Craughwell (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I want to address the superannuation side of the Bill. There has been a tendency to believe that one size fits all when it comes to superannuation in the public service, and it does not. Where we have people on accelerated pensions because of the nature of the work they do, we have failed to recognise the impact the legislation has had. We are now finding that members of the Garda, the Defence Forces, the Prison Service and the fire service are leaving because of the impact of the pension. There is no pension for them worth talking about by the time they finish. The post-2013 pensions are the most problematic ones but the pre-2013 ones are also problematic. Before we come to Committee Stage, will the Minister of State engage with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and with the representative bodies of the Defence Forces, the Garda, the Prison Service and the fire service in order that we can undo some of the damage that has been done and that is costing us highly experienced people who are walking out of the services? We could go into detail but I do not think that would help. What would help is if the Minister of State agreed to meet the representative bodies, hear their case and perhaps introduce some amendments when we look at this legislation on Committee Stage. It is vitally important we stop the drain out of these services. Otherwise, we will finish up with serious problems when it comes to experienced people taking on significant roles of authority in the Garda, the Defence Forces, the Prison Service and the fire service. Perhaps the Minister of State would do that.