Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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110. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform his plans to introduce a cap on ministerial pensions, for example, until the debt-to-gross-domestic-product ratio reaches 60%; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29405/15]

Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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While it has been possible to apply proportionate reductions to existing pensions, as has been done to date under the Financial Emergency in the Public Interest legislation, account must be taken of the fact that pension benefits are viewed as vested property rights, which limits the action that can be taken. I am advised that legislation cannot selectively penalise a particular cohort of Public Service pensioners.