Howlin refuses to reverse pension cuts

Public Service Reform Minister Brendan Howlin has refused to reverse cuts to the pensions of retired public servants, saying all of society must play its part in ensuring the economic survival of the State.

Mr Howlin was speaking following a meeting with representatives of the Alliance of Retired Public Servants. Since last January, the alliance had made numerous requests to have an involvement in the discussions on savings under Croke Park II. However, they were told at that stage the agreement “does not encompass retired public servants and their pension entitlements”.

Then it emerged that cuts ranging from 2% to 8% were to be imposed on retired public servants, even though they had not been involved in any negotiation. In March, alliance spokesman Seán Ó Ríordáin, said the use of emergency powers to take money from people without consultation was akin to something that would happen in a dictatorship. Another meeting was sought with the minister but for a number of weeks, the alliance received no reply.