Lenihan reiterates defence of pension levy

Finance Minister Brian Lenihan has reiterated his defence of the Government's controversial plan to impose a pension levy on all public-sector workers.

The legislation paving the way for the measure is being debated in the Dáil today.

Mr Lenihan is insisting that it is a reasonable response to the massive deterioration in the public finances.

However, the trade union movement is incensed by the measure, which they say unfairly targets lower and middle-income public servants.

Several unions are holding strike ballots in response to the levy.

Speaking during this morning's debate, Mr Lenihan insisted the levy was preferable to tax increases and redundancies.