asked the Minister for Transport and Power whether in view of a statement by the Chairman of Córas Iompair Éireann to a deputation from the Company's pensioners seeking increases in their pensions that he was sympathetic to their claims but had no power to grant the request he will state if this is a matter for the Board of the Company or for the Minister.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensioners of Córas Iompair Éireann.
12.
I am not aware that such a statement was made.
Any question of increasing the pensions of C.I.E. pensioners would in the first instance be a matter for the Board of C.I.E.
The Chairman said to the deputation that he was sympathetic but that he had no power to grant the pensioners' request. How can the Minister reconcile that statement with his own statement now? Did the Minister say the Board has power to grant increases?
I have said I am not aware that the Chairman made such a statement.
If the Minister became aware, would he use his good offices in this connection?
I am prepared to believe that the Chairman made no such statement.
Would the Minister be prepared to receive a deputation from the people concerned?
Would the Minister say whether he said this was a matter for the Minister or for the company. Which did he say?
I said that in the first instance it would be a matter for the Board of C.I.E.
I asked this question last week and the Minister was not here to answer it. Would the Minister tell me now: would he be prepared to provide the money or ask the Government to provide the moneys?
That is an entirely different question.
The moneys will be provided if there is an increase in emoluments. Those moneys would be provided by C.I.E.
Would the Minister be prepared to direct the attention of the Board of C.I.E. to the injustice under which these men are living?
It is a matter for C.I.E.
Do I understand from the Minister that C.I.E. have no less power in 1960 than they had in 1954 or in 1951?
I would have to have a separate question on that in order to examine all the relevant sections of the Act. So far as I know the power remains the same.
I shall ask a few more questions next week.