asked the Minister for Finance if he will state whether it is proposed to increase the pensions of retired civil servants in consequence of the steep increase in the cost of living.

asked the Minister for Finance if he will indicate to members of the House the results of the examination into the claims of Civil Service pensioners for increased pensions to enable them to meet the increase in the cost of living.

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 87 together.

Examination of the claims for increased pensions made by retired civil servants indicates that the cost of measures to satisfy these claims would be very heavy. The present financial situation is not such as would enable me to undertake to introduce legislation to increase Civil Service pensions without further and exhaustive examination of the Exchequer position generally.