The formal arrangements for the payment of former Supreme Court judge Mr Hugh O'Flaherty's £40,000 pension to the State have yet to be finalised, the Tanaiste, Ms Harney, told the House.
Asked by the Fine Gael deputy leader, Mrs Nora Owen, if there was a need for a mechanism to enable Mr O'Flaherty "to offer the £160,000 that he will forgo," the Tanaiste replied that there was not.
Mrs Owen asked if there was any way the Tanaiste would be able to ensure the money would go to the Ryan family or some good cause. Ms Harney said it was open to anyone to make a gift to the State at any time.