Having read Michael Clifford’s column (Forum, Nov 2) on Bertie Ahern a question occurred to me.

If the purpose of the talks on the Croke Park Agreement is to ease the taxpayer of the public sector bill, then the state should declare that Oireachtas pensions will only become payable when the claimant has reached the same age as applies to those claiming State pensions on the basis of PRSI contributions.

LEAVING the merits and demerits of the €100 house charge aside for a moment riddle me this: If I can pay road tax directly to the local authority in person or online why can I not do the same with the house charge?

THE excellent report by Conor Ryan (Irish Examiner, June 26) about the Department of Social and Family Affairs clawing back assets saved by elderly pensioners from their non-contributory pensions is further evidence of the non-caring attitude of Minister Seamus Brennan and this Government towards the welfare of the elderly.