Vol. 407 No. 2
26 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for Finance if he proposes to include, in the promised legislation on the conditions of Oireachtas Members, including Ministerial pensions, sections to establish on a statutory basis, the conditions of secretarial assistants working directly for Members of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
I have, as the Deputy knows, already indicated that it is my intention to introduce legislation on matters related to the remuneration and superannuation of members of the Oireachtas and related groups. That legislation is intended to give effect to certain matters arising from the recommendations of the Review Body on Higher Remuneration in the Public Sector.
The drafting of that legislation is at an advanced stage and its extension to deal with the provision of secretarial assistants employed to provide services to nonoffice holding members of the Dáil and Seanad would significantly delay its introduction.
