asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he has anything further to add to a reply of 20th April, 1961 concerning pensions of former employees of the Great Northern Railway Board; if in fact a scheme to bring Great Northern Railway pensions up to the Coras Iompair Éireann level has as yet been prepared; and when the public notice referred to in his previous reply will be released.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Pensions of Former Employees of G.N.R.
29.
C.I.E. have submitted to me a scheme for the amendment of the Great Northern Railway Company (Ireland) Pension Fund (Amendment) Scheme for Wages Staff. The public notice provided for under subsection (3) of Section 44 of the Transport Act, 1950, intimating that the scheme has been submitted and that any person who wishes to make representations to me about the scheme may do so, was published by the Board on 14th November, 1961. The scheme cannot be confirmed until the period specified in the notice has expired and any representations which may be made have been considered.
Will any increase in pension that is granted be retrospective?
I am not prepared to discuss the scheme until we have had an opportunity of seeing it ourselves in the Department after representations have been made to us by interested parties.
Will the Minister make available the details of this scheme at the earliest possible date?
The matter will be examined in the usual way and we will follow the statutory regulation in that regard.