asked the Minister for Finance if, in view of the disappointment of the pensioned teachers at the announcement that the promised increases in their pensions cannot be paid until new legislation has been passed, he will state when he will introduce the necessary proposals for legislation.

asked the Minister for Finance (i) when the proposals for legislation required for the payment of the increases to pensioned teachers will be introduced; (ii) if he is now in a position to give the details of these increases.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 8 and 9 together. The preparation of the necessary legislation is proceeding. While I hope to be able to introduce this legislation in the near future, I cannot at present indicate the date of introduction. As I have already intimated to Deputy Palmer in reply to his Parliamentary question of the 31st May last, a general indication of the proposed increases was given by the Minister for Education on the 4th May last in the course of the debate on the Estimates for his Department. I am not at present in a position to give any further details regarding the projected increases.

Can the Minister give an assurance that this legislation will be enacted before the end of this session?

Most decidedly.