Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)

Just to bring a bit of reality to this conversation, the Deputy will know that the previous Minister for Finance appointed Dr. Donal de Buitléir to undertake an independent examination of the standard fund threshold, which was reduced in 2014. As a Government, our main focus in respect of pensions, particularly for middle-income workers, is to ensure that they have pension provisions and that we have a good State pension provision as well. Since this Government entered office, the weekly State pension has increased by €29. In our budget negotiations, we are focusing closely on ensuring that those on the State pension receive the increases they deserve. Our work on the non-contributory old age pension has also been significant.

I would contrast this to Sinn Féin's proposals in respect of average workers who are making provision in the private sector for their pensions or public sector workers who are paying into AVCs. The Deputy and his party have proposed year on year to reduce the pension tax relief to the standard rate, which would take the legs out from under the average nurse and average-----

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