asked the Minister for Finance whether he will consider the introduction of legislation to amend the system of dealing with the pensions of retired civil servants, under which the pension is reduced with every fall in the cost-of-living index figure, but is never increased beyond the amount originally granted, however much the cost of living rises.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Civil Servants' Pensions.
I am not prepared to sponsor the introduction of legislation of the type suggested.
Does the Minister not consider the present arrangement very inequitable, seeing that he takes power to reduce the pensions if the cost of living falls whereas he will grant no increase in pensions if the cost of living rises? Is not it obviously unfair to pay people their pensions in depreciated currency? That is what you are doing so long as you put this overriding restriction on their pensions.
That system has lasted for a very long time now.
The fraud has lasted for a very long time. What you are really doing is giving people pound notes that are worth about 9/- or 10/-.
That is a complete exaggeration and, anyway, it affects the rest of the community as well as pensioners.
Can we not adjust a grievance because it affects the community?
Perhaps, by putting further grievances on the community.
By being honest with pensioners.