SHAME ON THIS GOVERNMENT, IT IS NOW TIME TO CALL THEM OUT FOR THEIR DISREGARD OF RETIRED WORKERS

This is the response of Pat Mellon, CEO Irish Senior Citizens Parliament (ISCP), to a decision by the Cabinet to refuse a Money Message to a Bill that would give retired workers a voice at the table when their pension income is being cut.

The Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment headed by Fine Gael Minister Peter Burke has just advised the Cabinet to kill the legislation that would have given retired workers equal rights to contest any proposed changes to their pensions.

Commenting on the fact that the Paper was laid down on the same day the ISCP held a press conference, asking Government to support the Bill. “I find it hard to believe that Fianna Fail, who for many of our members have always been seen as supporting workers, could agree to this. Even more surprising, is the support of the Independent Group on this decision, who individually have pledged support for the Bill”.

Sue Shaw ISCP, leading the ISCP working group, drawn from many member organisations stated her shock, “that not one Cabinet TD, (who were invited) could cross the road to Buswells and talk to us face to face. We had a full house of member organisations, but maybe that’s what they are afraid of, listening to real people talking about their loss of income while knowing the decision they had just made”. Many of these retired workers rely on their occupational pensions to provide an income to address their cost-of-living needs in their retirement.

Jim Dullaghan of ESB Retired Staff Association believes that this will give cause to older people and their families to consider whether we want an ageist government and is it time for change now. “Currently there are over 800,000 people aged over 65 in Ireland, 800,000 reasons for ageist government to be booted out! I believe that the decision made by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, will mean a very different response on the doorstep and at the ballot box, at election time.

Dividing workers from retirees only strengthens the hand of those cutting pensions. Keeping everyone at the same table ensures fairness, transparency, and a united defence of hard-earned entitlements. “You cannot change a pension scheme while shutting out the people who rely on it. Retired workers deserve a seat at the table—because their future is on the line”. Last November, at a briefing in the AV room, the ISCP had wide support for this view and had a commitment from FF and Independents to work at a cross-party level to support the Bill.

Members of the ISCP have voiced their shock at this decision, Paddy Fagan, said the impact of “having no voice, is that many retired workers are angry at no rise in income in 18 years, not to mention the pension levy on top of that”.

“This puts many pensioners, some who do not have the state pension, at the risk of poverty, during a time of food and fuel increases” says John Nugent of the National Pensioners Federation. He believes this blatant ageist action needs to be called out and everyone over 65 along with the younger members of their families, need to vote this government out of power at the earliest opportunity.

Eileen Sweeny, Retired Aviation Staff Association said “the Department of Enterprise, Tourism & Trade decision, demonstrates a lack of awareness, consideration and understanding of the lived experienced of former Aer Lingus/DAA & SAA employees, who have seen cuts to their monthly pension income in an industrial relations process where decisions were made without them”.

Finally, a word from Brid Smith who as a TD with People before Profit, sponsored the Bill “The Government has shown outrageous contempt for retired workers by killing this bill. To choose Labour Day, to twist the knife in the back of the pensioners who have fought for years to get their pension rights recognised. Shame on Fianna Fail and Fine Gael and those so-called Independents who back them.”

All sentiments echoed within the membership of Irish senior Citizens Parliament.

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The Collective Working Group of the Irish Senior Citizens Parliament

Contact:

Email: Sue Shaw @ susan@seniors.ie

Phone: 083 8612179