THE TAOISEACH strongly defended the pension levy in the face of claims by the Fianna Fáil leader it was leading to a reduction in private occupational pensions.

Enda Kenny said he recognised the challenge many people faced and that they wanted the Government to sort out the economic problems.

“There is no point in living in fantasy land or behind the shadows here,” he added.

“The levy was introduced by Government decision as a temporary measure for job creation facilities, and there is an impact.”

Micheál Martin said one of the pensioners protesting outside Leinster House yesterday would see his pension fall from €10,000 to €9,000 annually for the next four years.

He added at least 70,000 other private pension holders would face the full impact of the levy from September 25th, and that was just the first tranche.

“For the purposes of political gimmickry, the Taoiseach ignored the advice of qualified experts in the Departments of Finance and Social Protection,” Mr Martin added.

He said it had taken the Freedom of Information Act for Fianna Fáil to uncover that the Government had received and ignored repeated warnings about the damage the levy could do.

Mr Kenny said it would be wonderful to stand up as Taoiseach and have very different stories to tell. “The deputy speaks of gimmickry, dodging the issue and truth,” he added.

“The entire litany of what he and his colleagues went through for 12 years has left this country in a mess this Government will have to sort out.”

Mr Martin said the Taoiseach’s party political game-playing was cold comfort to the people outside Leinster House.