Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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410. To ask the Minister for Social Protection her plans to include pensions in the Constitution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50733/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The Constitution of Ireland sets out the basic laws describing how Ireland should be governed, the main institutions of the State and the rights and fundamental freedoms of citizens. It also reflects the values at the heart of Irish society. The Constitution can be changed only by a referendum in which every citizen of Ireland, over the age of 18, is entitled to vote. Whilst there is no express reference to private pensions in the Constitution, there is no reason to conclude that private pension rights would not fall within the protection conferred by the right to private ownership provided for within the Constitution.

In 2012, a Constitutional Convention was established todiscuss proposed . The Convention was established by Resolution of both Houses of the Oireachtas to consider and make recommendations on certain topics as possible future amendments to the Constitution. The Convention is not mandated to consider the area of pensions and there are no wider plans to specifically consider this subject for purposes of Constitutional change.