Pension issue was not solely about farmers

YOUR editorial headlined ‘Farm pensions U-turn — Decision is wrong and inequitable’ (April 9) shows a staggering level of ignorance of the facts.

This issue was never exclusively about farmers. The victims — and now the vindicated — were all self-employed people who established to the satisfaction of the state they were involved in a business partnership. They possibly included all the businesses referred to in your piece, including farmers’ spouses.

Having been involved in pursuing the Government for the injustice in this issue — changing the law and seeking to apply it retrospectively, Social Welfare Consolidation Bill 2005 and Social Welfare Bill 2009 — I welcome and condemn in equal measure the actions of ministers Ó Cuiv and Hanafin, the former having recognised the folly of his predecessor’s ways following advice from the Attorney General.

More importantly, I salute the victims now vindicated. This group of mostly (but not exclusively) women — many of whom, but certainly not all, farmers’ spouses — showed commendable resolve when confronted by the state wielding the big stick. They didn’t get all the coconuts — all they got was justice.

Michael Creed TD

Fine Gael Spokesperson on Agriculture

Railway View

Macroom

Co Cork