At a news conference yesterday Taoiseach Brian Cowen, Minister for Finance Brian Lenihan and Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin outlined the Government's National Pensions Framework. A key element is an increase in the retirement age to 66 in 2014, 67 in 2021 and 68 in 2028.

Mandatory private pensions are also included. These call for employees to pay 4% of their salary with employers and the State each contributing 2%. Employees can, however, opt out but must restate their opting out decision every two years. In any case the employer and the State will continue to pay the 2% each.

The Government has committed to a State pension worth 35% of the average industrial wage.

Dysfunctional system "caring" for dysfunctional children

Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter yesterday published a report into the death of 18-year-old Tracey Fay, who was in the care of the Eastern Health Board when she died in 2002. Deputy Shatter had come into possession of a copy of the report which took six years to complete and had been in the hands of the Health Service Executive since late 2008. He accused the Government and the HSE of a cover-up and claimed that he was putting the report on the record of the Dáil to highlight the failure of the social services to care adequately for Ms Fay.

Tracey Fay had been overseen by the social services from the age of eight months, she became pregnant twice while in their care and died from a drugs overdose. Being in care of the Eastern Health Board for Ms Fay meant spending 225 nights in 20 different B&Bs around Dublin.

Today the HSE has called on Mr Shatter to withdraw the report until it has had discussions with Ms Fay's family. A spokesman said that publication had been delayed so that the matter could be discussed with the dead girl's mother. He claimed that she was unwell and that it had not been possible to talk to her to date. He also admitted that there had been unnecessary delays in trying to make contact with the woman.

Mr Shatter has rejected the request to withdraw the report. He argues that a mother who had neglected her child to such an extent had no right to be consulted about publication of the material.

We had the usual knee-jerk reactions from all quarters telling us why this was the wrong approach.

60 jobs for Dublin

Hewlett Packard is to consolidate its European operations in Dublin with the creation of 60 jobs at it Belfield facility. The aim is to provide technical support to northern European countries and  the job holders will be expected to be fluent in relevant languages.

European warrant issued for Liam Adams

A European arrest warrant has been issued for Liam Adams, brother of Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams. Liam Adams is wanted in connection with allegations of sexual abuse and the PSNI is seeking his extradition from the Republic. Last December Mr Adams called to a garda station in Sligo but he was not arrested as gardaí were not in possession of the necessary European arrest warrant.

Two in court for murders in Dublin and Limerick

A man is due in Tallaght District Court this morning to be charged with the murder of Seamus O'Byrne (27) who was shot dead in March last year in Tallaght. The murder is believed to be part of an ongoing feud which has led to the deaths of 14 other people.

In Limerick John Coughlan (29) of Moyross will appear via video link at Limerick District Court today in connection with the murder of Daniel Treacy at a Limerick petrol station last month. Coughlan was remanded in custody following an earlier appearance in court.

Call to cancel naval service visit to Latin America

Fine Gael has called for the cancellation of a plan to send a naval vessel on a goodwill visit to South and Central America. The LE Niamh is scheduled to visit Argentina, Chile, and Mexico later this year to mark the 200th anniversary of the end of Spanish rule. It is argued that the €500k cost of the trip is unacceptable and that the vessel is needed to patrol our coasts to combat drug smugglers.

The Department of Defence insists that the benefits will outweigh the cost and that adequate coastal patrols will be maintained during the three months that the LE Niamh is away.

Thursday's Papers

The Irish Times and the Irish Independent lead with the new pension scheme, with "Retirement age will rise to 68 on overhaul of pensions" and "Employers warn of pay cut to fund pension plan".

The Irish Examiner, while carrying the pensions story on its front page, focuses on the report into the death of Tracey Fay while under the care of the HSE under the headline "Failed by the system".

The Irish News carries a photograph of Mark Harbinson, the loyalist who last year faced five charges of sexual offences against a young girl; the headline reads "Harbinson's band in bid for St Patrick's Day march".

The Weather in Galway

We're back to the frost and sunshine this morning. Temperature 8C.

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