Simon Coveney, TD

I warmly welcome the official confirmation that President Higgins will pay an official visit to the United Kingdom.

Ireland has successfully concluded the 12th and final review mission of the Programme with the EU Commission, the ECB and the IMF.

Fine Gael Waterford Deputy, Paudie Coffey, has today (Thursday) welcomed the announcement by the Minister for Education, Ruairí Quinn TD, of almost €70 million which is to be made available as part of the Minor Works Grant Scheme and the Summer Works Scheme.

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the Finance Bill. We can all celebrate that it is at least possible that this budget, tough as it is, may be the last tough budget. We also have to acknowledge that it is at least partly because of the tough budgets we have endured since 2008 that there are now signs of a pick-up in the economy and definite jobs growth. At the outset I acknowledge what has been achieved on the broad economic front because, inevitably, I will focus on aspects of the budget about which I have concerns.

IT'S PRETTY rare that a Government TD cries "hear, hear" during an opposition member's speech. But Fine Gael TD Peter Mathews did exactly that recently when Independent Stephen Donnelly was on his feet talking about our bank debt problems.

To ask the Minister for Finance further to Parliamentary Question No. 81 of 11 January 2012, if he has considered the way the report on Pension Charges in Ireland 2012 may be used to advance the issue of the pension industry absorbing the impact of the pension fund levy; and if he will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the recommendation of the Report on Pension Charges in Ireland 2012 and the OECD Review of the Irish Pension System, if she plans to put in place a universal pension scheme; and if she will make a statement on the matter?

To ask the Minister for Social Protection in view of the Report on Pensions Charges in Ireland 2012 and the submissions received from the industry in response to the report, if further policy or regulatory action is proposed for the pension system; and if she will make a statement on the matter?