Page 60 - IFAFA ebook v4

Many foreign services have succeeded in securing some form of pension

for spouses. The scheme I favour is the Norwegian model. They give

taxation credits for the years spouses spend abroad accompanying the

DFA officer. The Irish arrangement where an officer retires on a pension

of half their salary, but if that officer dies the spouse then only receives

a quarter pension seems unfair. IFAFA has been raising the matter of

pensions for spouses for decades. Surely something can and should be

done to address this important issue.

I have now been on nine postings, 7 of them with the Irish government. I

am so grateful for all the amazing experiences, wonderful adventures and

great friendships along the way. I may be old-fashioned, but I still believe

in an esprit de corps. I try to support our spouses and families as much as

I can and as I have been supported by others.

Our two children, Tara and Jason, coped with all the moves and I believe

gained overall from the experience. However, I also remember the sad

farewells, the tears, the first days in a new school, and worst of all the

empty nest feeling we experienced when they remained behind in

Edinburgh to attend university when we were transferred to Malaysia.

Each time they returned home after visiting us we went into our own

private mourning. Now we have grandchildren in Edinburgh and we live

in Washington...but we make it work. It is expensive and exhausting to

travel back and forth but we happily do it. Our family is too important to

us, we make the effort and we remain close-knit.

Just one thing – the next time someone at a dinner party asks me ‘What

do you do?’...I may not be responsible for my actions!

I would do it all again if I could.

Thanks for the memories!

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