With your permission, a Cheann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 34, 35 and 36 together. As Deputies are aware, British retirement pensions are paid to persons living in this country. As long as such a person lives here, however, the British authorities freeze his pension at the rate payable when he left the United Kingdom or, if he lived here when awarded pension, at the rate first granted. This British policy of freezing pensions applies to persons living in all countries outside the United Kingdom except where a reciprocal agreement specifically provides otherwise.
My Department has been negotiating with the British Ministry of Pensions and National Insurance over the past two years for a new reciprocal agreement on various matters relating to pensions. One of the issues in these negotiations has been the inclusion of a provision binding both sides not to freeze pensions. I can readily agree to such a provision as Irish pensions are paid in full to persons in the United Kingdom. My Department has been pressing for unfreezing which is, in fact, the only important issue outstanding and the decision of the British Ministry in the matter is still awaited.
I am most anxious to have this matter settled as, indeed, it would already have been if the decision rested with me alone.