Govt to publish legislation on public-sector pension levy

The Government is set to publish legislation today paving the way for the imposition of pension levies ranging from 3% to almost 10% on all public-sector workers.

Details of the measure were approved by the cabinet yesterday.

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan defended the controversial levy in the Dáil last night during a debate on a Labour Party motion calling for the measure to be suspended.

Labour says the levy is unfair in its current form and is calling on the Government to re-enter talks with trade unions in an effort to come up with a more balanced proposal.

Mr Lenihan, however, insisted that the levy was justified because public-sector workers have secure jobs and generous pensions.

The Civil and Public Service Union and the Garda Representative Association are both planning to hold protests outside the Dail today to highlight their anger over the levy.