Sir, – Once again, politicians who sit on the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection opt for populism by ignoring the recommendations of the Pension Committee.
Of course any deficit will be made up by digging into general taxation.
Perhaps I am mistaken in believing that the public purse has limits. – Yours, etc,
MARGARET LEE,
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Newport,
Co Tipperary.
Sir, – The Pensions Commission recommended a very gradual increase from 66 to 68 in the age at which the State pension becomes payable. This was driven by concerns about how the pension will be funded in the future.
The Oireachtas Committee is on another planet. It recommends retaining the current qualifying age and even sees its way to increasing some benefits.
Both the commission and the committee had among its members the numerate and the visionary.
Those on the commission are good at counting money and at looking 30 years into the future. The members of the Oireachtas Committee are masterly at counting votes and their vision covers the three years to the next election.
I know which argument should win – and which will.
Meanwhile Sinn Féin plans to reduce the pension age to 65! Having accessed the State pension when I reached the age of 66, I look forward to receiving my “entitlement” to a year’s arrears (including Christmas bonus) when Louise O’Reilly TD gets her hands on the till. – Yours, etc,
PAT O’BRIEN,
Rathmines,
Dublin 6.
Sir, – The Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection recommendations on maintaining the State pension age at 66, access at age 65 with 40 years of contributions, and a ban on mandatory retirement seem admirable and sensible policies to introduce.
But what felt like a rebuke to the committee with his comments in the Dáil, the Taoiseach said, “There will not be any easy choices here. Politicians tend to reach for the easy choices, if we are all honest.”
Well that certainly is true when it comes to the extremely generous pensions our politicians provide for themselves. No pain there! – Yours, etc,
AIDAN RODDY,
Cabinteely,
Dublin 18.