Noel Ahern
Ceist:171 Mr. N. Ahern asked the Minister for Finance if he will refer to cases of people on long-term invalidity pensions who have paid contributions for 30 or 40 years before falling into bad health and whose spouses still work resulting in their invalidity pensions being taxed; when taxation of invalidity pension was introduced; the thinking and philosophy behind this decision; the compensatory increase, if any, made in social welfare payments at the time; if some improvements will be considered or special tax allowance granted based on their many years of insurable employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3728/00]