asked the Minister for the Public Service when he proposes to introduce equity for retired civil servants in relation to increases on their pensions.

As the Deputy may be aware, public service pensions are revised each year on 1 July by reference to rates of pay then in operation. The question of further improving this arrangement was considered by the Government in the context of the recent budget but in the light of the resources available it was not possible to provide more favourable treatment for these pensioners. The position of the pensioners generally will, of course, be improved by the taxation changes announced in the budget.

Accidentally, I am sure, the Minister misinterpreted the point of my question. I asked about equity and I was talking about times of payment. Is the Minister aware that on 10 June, just before the general election, Deputy Colley wrote in a letter to the pensioners' association that with regard to any increases which would be paid, they—and I quote——

The Deputy may not quote at Question Time.

It would be their intention to achieve a situation of full parity as soon as possible on returning to office. Is the Minister aware that pensioners, most of whom are neither well heeled nor very articulate, are obliged to wait many months longer than their colleagues employed in the public service to get the meagre increases they are awarded? When does the Minister propose to do something about that?

That is still our intention and the matter will not be overlooked. It will be considered again next year.

What is meant by "as soon as possible"? Is it not reasonable to assume that it should have been in the recent budget. Why did not the Minister honour his word?

We did. It is still our intention.

Another broken promise.