POLITICIANS cannot resist expediency. Urgent takes precedence over important. Years of demographic analysis, a Green Paper in 2007 and the launch of the National Pension Framework in March of last year set out our looming dilemma of unfunded pension obligations. By 2050 the ratio of workers to retirees will be 1.8: 1. Currently that ratio is 5.6: 1.

A NEW VAT (Value Added Tax) system that would make it easier for business, less costly for government and reduce the multi-billion euro VAT fraud is being touted by the European Commission.

The ratio of pensioners to workers in Europe is set to double in the next 50 years – a pensions time-bomb which must be tackled now, the European Commission warned today.

DIRECTORS of financial institutions will no longer be able to sit on more than three boards, and they must bring expertise to their positions, according to European Commission proposals to regulate corporate governance.

A MAJOR shake-up of corporate governance proposes giving more power to shareholders and limiting the number of directorships a person can hold, initially in financial instructions but later in all public companies.

CHRISTY Kearney’s article (May 10) on the role of audit in the banking crisis contains a number of significant omissions.

DANISH researchers have predicted that more than half of the children born into comfortable circumstances today will live well into the next century.

PEOPLE need to work longer into old age before qualifying for their state pension in light of increasing life expectancies, according to An Bord Snip Nua.

The European Commission has invited “each and every citizen” to submit their views on plans for a massive reform of Europe’s ailing fisheries policy.

THE Government last night confirmed a new Pension Insolvency Payment Scheme (PIPS), which will make defined benefit pension schemes up to 20% more valuable, following the collapse of pension schemes in some major employers and the threat to many more.

The European Commission today warned that nothing short of a completely new fisheries management system would halt years of dangerously depleted stocks and get the struggling fishing industry back on its feet.

ELDERLY women will continue to be at the greatest risk of poverty if the Government prioritises private pensions.

CITIES such as Cork, Waterford and Galway face a substantial wait to find out if they will get directly elected mayors with budgetary and planning powers.

John Gormley today outlined his plans for a major overhaul of local government since its introduction by the British government in 1898.

THE Government is unlikely to have a concrete plan to tackle the growing pension time bomb in place until early 2009, it emerged yesterday.

The public is to be consulted on the country's future pension strategy.

THE Government has been accused of ignoring credible suggestions given to it by the trade union movement to solve Ireland’s pensions crisis.

SSIA HOLDERS are being encouraged to use their savings to take out pensions in a bid to defuse a looming pensions crisis.

THE European Commission will today announce plans for a single, simple set of rules designed to encourage more online and cross-border shopping.

THE Government’s failure to open up the electricity and gas markets has led to Ireland having the seventh-most expensive energy prices among the 25 EU member states.

The Government must do more to open up the electricity and gas markets to drive down energy bills, it was claimed today.

A united Ireland should be created as soon as is humanly possible, it was claimed today.

NO further action will be taken to create a pan-European mortgage market unless it can be proven that the benefits to both lenders and borrowers exceeded the costs, Internal Market and Services Commissioner Charlie McCreevy pledged yesterday.

Ann Cahill, Europe Correspondent

You are being asked to vote on whether or not the following new wording should be put into Article 9 of the Constitution:

THE Government has said it will support stem cell research on human embryos in the EU despite Fianna Fáil members in the European Parliament voting against it yesterday.

A HEALTH BOARD, which has been criticised for failing to provide non-medical circumcision, is to meet next month to discuss improving general services.