The Deputy will be aware, on the basis of information given to the House on 20 April 1999, that the Government has concluded that pensions of a certain amount should be payable in respect of each of the persons referred to in his question, and that these amounts are £40,000 per annum in the case of the former Supreme Court judge, £30,000 per annum in the case of the former High Court judge and £15,000 per annum in the case of the former Dublin county registrar.
These pensions are to be adjusted in the normal manner in line with those of other retired judges and county registrars. An additional element is that no gratuities will be paid in this instance. Following a decision of the Government, at its meeting this morning, I can inform the House that a Bill dealing with the pension arrangements is in the process of being presented to the House for circulation to Deputies. Subject to the agreement of the Whips, I look forward to a very early debate on the details of the Bill.