asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce whether any steps have been taken by his Department to ensure that the Great Southern Railway Company comply with the provisions of the Railways Act, 1924, whereby the Company are required to prepare a superannuation scheme on a contributory basis for employees.
CEISTEANNA—QUESTIONS. ORAL ANSWERS. - RAILWAYS SUPERANNUATION SCHEME.
In or about the middle of 1926 the Great Southern Railway Company circulated to and subsequently discussed with the Railway Trades Unions a draft superannuation scheme which it had prepared in discharge of its obligation under Section 57 of the Railways Act, 1924. I understand that the scheme was ultimately not found acceptable by the railway employees.
Will the Minister state what the present position is, or what the situation is likely to be, in the event of no agreement being reached between the employees and the company in regard to superannuation?
There will be no agreed superannuation scheme.
Therefore, there will be no superannuation scheme of any kind?
I do not know if the Deputy understands the wording of the Act. The Act says that the Railway Company shall bring forward and discuss superannuation schemes. It was agreed in legislation passed through the Dáil that this scheme could only be on a basis of consent, and one cannot impose.
It was not a pension scheme.