When I announced my pension reform package in the budget, I stated that the public service unions would be fully informed about the implementation of the reforms before their planned introduction with effect from 1 April 2004. The process of informing the public service unions is already under way, and several meetings have taken place between the public service unions, including the INTO, and officials of my Department, the Department of Education and Science and other Departments. The minimum pension age for existing public servants is not in any way affected by the Government decision.