Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 38: To ask the Minister for Finance if his Department has prepared proposals in respect of pension reform in the context of the social partnership talks; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24875/06]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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In the new National Partnership agreement "Towards 2016", the Government has agreed, as part of the pay, workplace and employment rights and compliance elements of the agreement, to engage with employers and trade unions in the context of its formulation of a comprehensive approach to future pensions policy. This overall review of pensions policy, which will be facilitated by the Department of An Taoiseach and which will also involve input from other relevant Departments such as Social and Family Affairs, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Finance, will include the publication of a Green Paper to outline the major policy choices and challenges in this area. The Government will take account of the views of all the social partners and is committed to responding to such views on foot of the Green Paper in the development of a framework for comprehensively addressing the pensions agenda over the longer term.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the pensions agenda is a very significant and wide ranging one. Many issues will need to be addressed and considered in the formulation of the Green Paper and follow up processes envisaged in the agreement. These will include not only the adequacy and sustainability of the present system but also the social, fiscal, economic and competitiveness impact of changes to the system that will fall to be considered.