Speaking at the Fine Gael conference in Wexford, Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty said she intends linking payments such as the pension to the consumer price index this year.

This means linking the old age pension to inflation.

Fianna Fail are opposed to the move, and Ivan was joined by Fianna Fail’s spokesperson for Older People Mary Butler.

She was also by Jerry Moriarty, CEO of the Irish Association of Pension Funds, who thinks the Government plan would be a good idea, and give more assurance to pensioners.