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EVERY WEEKDAY evening, TheJournal.ie brings you the five things you should know by 5pm.
1. #IRISH SOPA: Junior Minister Seán Sherlock has confirmed his signing of the statutory instrument that reinforces online copyright laws. The controversial legislation drew criticism it would stifle freedom of expression online or that it could damage the online development of businesses. The SI makes it possible for copyright holders to seek court injunctions against companies including ISPs whose systems host copyright-infringing material.
2. #REFERENDUM: The European Commission has reasserted that a ‘no’ vote in Ireland’s referendum on the Fiscal Compact Treaty will not mean that Ireland cannot access funds under the agreements it already has in place. The Dáil spent more time on the issue of the referendum today, with both the government and the opposition putting forward some of their reasons for voting yes or no. Meanwhile, FF deputy leader Éamon Ó Cuív has acknowledged that he could lose the party whip if he decides to go against the party line and vote ‘no’.
3. #NORTH KOREA: North Korea has announced it will suspend its nuclear activities and freeze further missile testing. Pyongyang also says it will allow officials from the UN nuclear watchdog into the country to verify that activity on its nuclear programme have halted.
4. #GOOGLE: The internet company is changing its privacy policy from tomorrow. Here’s your guide to how you can delete your browsing history ahead of the switchover to the new policy.
5. #OOPS: Have you ever been caught dossing while you were on the job? That’s what happened to Germany’s finance minister Wolfgang Schäuble during a parliamentary debate on Greece’s second bailout. Here’s the video.
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End a few of the quangos , reduce the gravy train pensions and top ups and unvouched expenses . That alone would cover pensions .
Michael. Away with yourself, that would be doing the right thing and we don’t do the right thing in this country.
Vincent Browne has a good idea he suggested on his show
Have a common pension fund where private sector and public sector pensions are paid from
This would mean all get the same pension
Public sector would get somewhat less than at present and private sector would get more
Cap the maximum pension for anyone at €5000
Why would that be fair when public servants pay more into their pensions than private sector workers? The only way it would be fair was if everybody contributed the same.
Pensions paid from the public purse should definitely be capped. 5k a month would be about right.
Public sector workers pay 4 contribution each month towards their pensions. It’s a great idea only if all workers pay in the same depending on their pay and all get back the same. It should be a national workers scheme which the government are never allowed to raid, all workers having the option to retire from 55, most will not opt for this but it will allow those who are no longer fit enough to work but have paid into the scheme to retire, anyone who is a worker will even if unfit to keep doing a full time job will contribute to society with voluntary work and also free up jobs for younger workers.
Instead of attacking those who work and contribute to a pension we need to take a long hard look at those who contribute nothing and have an endless list of demands for free this and free that, enough of all this pc bull
There have been major pension changes in the Public Sector and those employees are making more definitive contributions towards their pension, they will no longer be able to retire on their full pension entitlements until they reach the State pension age, the same as private sector workers.
If we want a national workers scheme, then we have to decide on some issues, for example, do we abolish the lump sum for PS workers or do we give every private sector worker the same lump sum when they retire – that is not sustainable unless every massively increases their contributions.
Yes. And I think public sector pensions should be decreased. Bring them more into line with the real world which is paying for them.
All public sector workers contribute to their own pension, I can never understand why some people get so incensed over the pensions received when public sector workers retire.
They contribute nothing like the economic cost of their pensions. Their pensions are underwritten by the taxpayer. Those pensions have first dibs from the states current spend before any other call.
I’m a public servant and I pay €300 every month towards my pension. I don’t have a choice: it’s mandatory. I don’t mind because I’d have never set up a pension if it was left to me. Still it’s a big lump to come out of my pay.
Some public sector pensions are excessive, especially former senior civil servants. However most will be modest enough.
I don’t accept that Margie. As stated, public sector employees have no choice but to contribute. Most people can choose what they wish to do in life. I don’t understand people who choose to work in the private sector and then complain about the public sector and vice versa.
You also so have to factor that many public sector pensioners do not recive the state pension. So when you deduct 12k from their pensions most pensions will not be so excessive.
Reg, that isn’t technically the case.
Most retired PS workers joined before 1995, they did not make any contributions to the state pension, their pension entitlements were 50% of their final pensionable salary.
Most PS pensioners are not getting what they never contributed towards, so they were never entitled to it.
€300 a month? You must be on a nice wedge there bud. I assume this is net pay too, as you get a tax break on the pension.
Anyone who makes a pension contribution gets the same tax break do they not?
The point is that PS workers do contribute to their pensions.
I do think though, that it’s strange to hear some people making (or appearing to) an issue out of the fact that the contributions are mandatory – that was part and package of the deal that they signed up to.
The pension scheme is mandatory and it’s one of the attractions of the job.
Les Enfant, I’d add to that that we pay the pension levy which is higher than my pension contribution and is just a tax under another name. At some point 5 years ago I was not allowed on the pension scheme but the levy was still taken off at source. In other words, I was not allowed to put money into my pension but still expected to pay for the current pensioners’!
The point is that PS workers are in a DB scheme so they are guaranteed a fixed pension having only contributed a fraction towards the cost of that. It’s an antiquated scheme devised in days when people were dying in their 60s and 70s. Nowadays the outlay is much greater as people are living longer. I agree with Margie, increase the state pension but make the PS schemes all DC. Will never happen though as the turkeys in government will not vote for Xmas.
That isn’t strictly the case, they do pay more then a fraction, they are guaranteed a fixed pension, which is based on their earnings. The system has been changed, and new entrants can no longer retire on their full pension benefits earlier then private sector workers.
Most people who work in the PS earn less the 50,000 per annum. For those in existing pension schemes.,
If they are entitled to half the salary – in this case 25,000, however, over 12,000 of that is the State Contributory pension that they have contributed towards, for 40 years.
The 233.30 state pension, is almost the same pension that someone who never worked a day in their lives is entitled to.
13k is their actual occupational pension – paid for by significant contributions over 40 years – 250 a week, is hardly a fortune.
They do have the added lump sum – but it is unfair to target workers who will benefit from a scheme – just because you don’t like it.
Sean, as a private sector worker I have to completely disagree. The public service pension pays for itself every year because of the contributions of the PS workers. There have been major changes in recent years. Anyone who entered in the late 90′s/early 00′s will pay in more than they get back.
Not so Thomas, those who entered in the 90′s after 1995 and up to 2013 still have a good deal and will not pay in more then they will get out.
That’s true. This article sums it up nicely albeit a couple of years old now. The move with SPSS is a step in the right direction but the PS scheme should be DC. It should not be DB with the shortfall made up from other people’s taxes or state borrowing. This is why now Aer Lingus and previously Eircom were (are in ALs case) crippled by the liability arising from their DB commitment to their pensioners. It’s completely unsustainable but don’t ask the government or judiciary to change it as they themselves are beneficiaries.
http://m.independent.ie/irish-news/public-sector-pensions-get-a-1bn-taxpayer-subsidy-30806943.html
Really? Even when the pension levy comes into play?
Jealous much?
Different pension scheme Sean.
The PS scheme is a DB scheme in name, but it’s not the same as the Aer Lingus and Eircom, they were semi state.
The “State” are not “crippled” with liability for PS pensions, yes a billion is a lot, but that is the pension scheme and I personally wouldn’t take a job in the PS, where the pay is in a lot of cases (now at least) a lot lower then the private sector, with a dc pension – no thank you!
New rules brought in under last government mean if there is a gap of even a year in pension contributions
Then the contributory pension is cut by up to €70 per week
This was totally missed at the time it was brought in Have heard no discussion of it in the media
The years required for a full contributory pension here are still quite low compared to other countries. In the UK I think it is 30 years.
Yes the years were 10 for a full contributory pension in Ireland
However the last government added a new rule about gaps in the contributions Gap of one year in the contributions from when you started working
That is paid the first contribution will reduce the contributory pension by up to €70
Yes they messed around with the band’s on contributory pensions and I had time off to rear a family worked 27 years and was entitled to less than someone who never worked a day in their life
That is the real issue here, imagine working all your life take time out to look after children and you are punished what an absolute farce of a country yet those who pay in nothing still get a pension, complete joke except the joke is on all those who work, too much pc bull in this country, all workers should unite and demand a national workers pensions, if someone has worked and paid into the scheme they should not face poverty in retirement and should be substantially better off than those who have refused to contribute to society.
Pauline, are there not special credits for mums who stayed at home?
No man should be getting any more than 400 a week , end of story , no matter what he worked at . A scheme should be put in place to clear all debt for anyone due to retire
That’s a great idea. So we all rush out and borrow as much as we can get at 64.
Charlotte, The vast majority will work when decent paying work is available. The unemployment crisis is caused primarily by a lack of jobs. The battle is between the working class and the big capital owning class who are the real parasites on society. So we’ve seen a mountain of odious banker debt loaded on to our backs and one of the ways in which they’re making us pay is through redcuing pension entitlements and pushing the pension age out to 68. The real parasites reside at the top of the pyramid, not the bottom.
@Liam I meant mortgage , didn’t think I had to explain that . Hold off on the Ferrari finance lol
Only applies after 1994 so women who worked in the home and are now at pension age are affected.
But then again why not reduce the cost of living in this country. Because 5 euro extra is not going to go far is it. Some pensioners have to decide whether to have heat or food. While our government pension are beween 4 to 6 k per month.
@ Gavin poltical pension are on average 8k per month up to 11k per month. We cannot afford these so tax them.
I’d like to see some evidence of that 8k a month figure Robin. I doubt if the average political pension is anywhere near that.
Not to mention Gavin, that a lot of older people living in council accommodation will see their rents increase by about €1 per week. I know it’s not much, but it’s 20% of the increase gone for these people.
@reg Bertie Ahern, Mary McAlesse, Brian Cowen €135 ,ooo plus per year, average then €65,000 to €85,000 per year. Read article done by research journalist who works for Irish times. Some political pensions are even higher because of the multiply times in politics and the ministerial position held.
Irish people need to wake up and sort this out through taxation at 87% . I always consider this article to be like the French peasants relationship with Marie Antoinette. The French people chopped off her from the spoils of her elite life . We can tax these pensions . For example €4,000,0000.00 would be saved at a tax rate of 87% .
I don’t understand why are these people getting a pension as they are not pensionable age??? And the government raising the age of retirement for ordinary workers…
They are not average political pensions Robin and you know it.
Reg this is an article from the Irish times “Ahern and Cowen are in joint first place, on €80,810.86 each per annum. Next is John Bruton on €72,908.04. Add in their Dáil pensions and they easily clear the €100k barrier.” Easy enough to work out the monthly payments on a 100k per year http://www.irishtimes.com/news/politics/oireachtas/miriam-lord-tds-pension-questions-raise-a-lotto-laughs-for-howlin-1.2209982
They are ministerial pensions Gavin. TDs, of which there far more retired are on nothing like that. Therefore average polical pensions are nowhere near the figures quoted above.
Ministers who have retired from their positions get a pension , they also receive a wage plus expenses for their next ministerial job , so if you have a minister who’s had several titles ( education, Finance , health , tourism ) they get a pension from each position, and probably still on a retainer / sabatacle from teaching job , plus fill wages and extortionate expenses
What about the pension time bomb that is looming ahead?…..We need to think long term and just about today or tomorrow
While I think it should be increased , I don’t agree with the FF type of auction politics. They’re pushing this solely for the grey vote in the next election.
@finbar. What about the €11,000 per month pension ex Taoiseach ex presidents ex politicians are receiving. Let’s talk about taxing them 87% to bring them down to 3,000 euro per month. What type of idiots are Irish people listening to this donkey carrot and stick nonsense, if the state can tax the income off their backs and they are concerned about pensions. Then put the concern where is so expensive and that is the pensions given to the political elites we cannot afford so tax them .
It should be mandatory that you start paying into your pension from when you start working as they do in Holland. I’ve been paying into my pension since I was 24.
Well said Robin !!
Politics will have to change soon. We need to get rid of the current clueless, shambolic, self enriching bunch. FF were blowing hot air about car insurance, homelessness plus more over the last few months, with no intention of doing anything about sorting these issues out and being in control of a minority gov. When this pension time bomb blows up for the next generation, they’ll be wondering who voted for these feckers, and these feckers won’t care because they’ll be long gone.
@finbarr .. get the population to grow , we are expected to bring our population up to 7 million , now all we have to do is create jobs
If its increased remember who pays for it. People are living longer than ever.
Finbar mate take a look at politicians pensions and leave the ordinary workers out of it who work and pay taxes for 40-45 years service. Then get back to us!!
Good for you .so did i for 41 years ,i will have to live to be 85 ,to get out the money i paid into it ,All the bullshit that goes on about pensions between companies ripping people off,,, and politicians with pensions like a lotto win , and people who never worked or paid taxes in their lives “entitled ” to a pension ,God help those that work pay taxes for all these shysters .
Article has only had 5 views yet somehow theres nearly 200 votes in the poll??? Strange…
And the comments section is open? More strange?
What we can take from this article is that ff and fg are 100% in government together. Coalition partners arguing.
The only thing FF and FG are at loggerheads over is whose round is it at the dail bar. Everything else is Blackrock PR spin.
Maybe politicians should decrease their pension’s, and increase OAP by at least 10 euro a week.
What annoys me most is that people who have never worked a day in their lives get the same as a person who has worked and paid taxes for nearly 50 years.
Fiver stinking euros is an insult to private sector pensioners when politicians and civil servants get pensions from the age of 53 getting topped up to the max with golden handshakes before the leave. they are not even means tested and increase by 3% each years. Dirt tax, 23% vat rate, carbon tax, electricity levy, medicine costs and the age discrimination older members of our society must endure from bank loans to employment prospects is not resolved by an extra few euros. fiver euros would not keep a pensioner warm for a day or buy them basics essentials for 24 hours. while multinationals and vulture funds pay nothing to use our country as a tax haven the population must watch taxpayer funds used to buy elections by corrupt political parties. we borrow 7 billion each year to pay for pensions the same amount we pay in interest on monies these parties have already borrowed but never held accountable for how it was spent. FG last budget was a giveaway one to buy an elections so now we must pay the price over the next three budgets, its the same formula FF used when Willie held a ministers position and mislead the dail.
Why are we not reducing the Jobseeker’s Allowance and paying the difference to the pensioners???
The pensioners have completed their service to this country, and we pay people enough to comfortably sit on their bums. I’m talking long-term, able bodied dole junkies. In 2016 if you don’t have a job in 3 months, you’re cut dramatically. And not training course after training course either.
Auction politics from Fianna Fáil. Will we ever learn or are we doomed to keep repeating the same mistakes?
The only real way is to make the money available is through job creating industries creating wealth. Our disastrous renewable energy policy has increased electricity prices making growth very slow. Green taxes hit pensioners harder with winter fuel more expensive so more money is needed by them. Present state/ private investment is concentrated on wind farms and pylons. We need 6,500 mw of electricity generating capacity, we now have 10,800 mw set to rise to 15,000 mw. So with most money going into renewable energy, pensioners are dependent on it for their pensions but as these same pensioners have to pay higher ESB bills. So they have to pay their own pensions. It all boils down to the fact that our state finances are in part sound enough but in part a ponzi scheme.
I think people should have the option to defer their state pension in favor of receiving more when they do retire as in the UK.
€5 a week, the price to pay for winning the next election
(Its only a promise any you know what election promises mean)
What a stupid poll. It’s like asking someone would they like a winning lotto ticket….
They should return the cash and benefits that have robbed from us OAP.s over the last 10 years ,we have worked and paid our dues for 50 years .
Listen , can you hear it . IBEC waking from their coffins
What about an increase in the state non contributory pension
Only a fool or a rich person would say No because most of us will one day be drawing the state pension.
It shouldn’t be increased above CPI however we need a compulsory pension scheme that people contribute to.
Just look afer our old you are going to be there some day
Well i worked hard and still do and they tell me i can’t have the two 152€ pension i have kept it to pay bills like that i own nothing. Well except the Water never paid it and never will.
Given that the State has destroyed public confidence in saving for a pension by cannibalising pension funds by levies, thereby reducing benefits to retirees for life, & also for those yet to retire, Justice demands that this theft be compensated.
Just like the “shilling pension reduction”,Noonan will forever be remembered for this crime against the elderly, & for undermining self provision in this critical area of personal finance.
Reading financial reporting recently, wide coverage is given to the restoration of public service pay & pension levels, which will benefit this & other ministers as they fade into munificent taxpayer funded retirement.
5 euro will only make up for the increased living costs anyway, much of which arises from state imposed sneaky items.
Yes and tds pensions should be stopped until they retire like the rest of us . Plus stop letting them claim several pensions after four years in office .
3-pensions scandal must be fixed first before anymore taxpayers money used to bump pensions.
1-private pension
1-State pension based on PRSI (insurance) not assurance sholuld only be paid where privat epension is inadequate.
1-State pension for “dependent” spouse .. should only be paid where private pension is inadequate
There is no state pension that you paid in to! …. all state pensions are paid by you the taxpayer.
… this 3-pension scam by the well off is Daft!
The Government has no money – it belongs to you the taxpayer.
To me cost of living adjustments (COLA) would be the way to go. We could keep up that way…
So a majority want to increase taxes on workers to give to OAPS? No way
The government gets more money out of people that people get out of the government, so why raise the pension age then?
have your say