Seanad to push through pension levy on Friday

The Seanad is to hold a rare sitting on Friday to push through emergency legislation to introduce the public service pension levy.

President Mary McAleese is expected to sign the controversial measure into law before the weekend.

Last Saturday more than 100,000 people representing several public sector unions staged one of the biggest public demonstrations ever seen in Dublin to oppose the pension levy.

The Government hopes the measure will cut €1.4bn from the public sector pay bill in 2009.

The Financial Emergency Measures in the Public Interest Bill (2009), introduced by Finance Minister Brian Lenihan, is expected to pass all legislative stages in the Dáil on tomorrow and Wednesday before being referred to the Seanad.

“The Seanad will convene about 90 minutes earlier than usual at 9am on Friday morning and will begin debating the Bill at 10.30am,” said an Oireachtas spokesman.

Seanad leader Donie Cassidy may propose an Early Signature Motion to ensure that President McAleese signs the Bill as soon as possible.

Usually, the head of state has up to seven days to sign legislation after it is received at Aras an Uachtaráin.

The salary-based levy will be calculated on gross pay and will mean a 3% contribution for workers on €15,000 per annum up to a maximum 9.6% for staff earning €300,000.

Last week Labour failed in its bid through its Dáil motion to have the measure suspended in order to devise a more equitable way of saving public funds.