asked the Minister for Transport and Power if, in view of the delay involved in making the amended Bord na Móna superannuation scheme referred to in a reply of 1st December, 1970, which could result in the payment of substantial arrears of contributions with effect from June, 1970, provision will be made in the amending scheme that the higher rate of contribution will apply only from the date on which the statutory instrument is made.
Ceisteanna-Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna Superannuation Scheme.
34.
The new scheme is on a contributory, funded basis and as the improved benefits will be effective from 4th June, 1970, the increased contributions will also have to be paid from that date by both Bord na Móna and the members.
The board are arranging to collect the increased contributions under the new scheme from a current date. The arrears of contributions due from 4th June, 1970, are not very substantial—about £7 in the case of a man earning £800 a year—and Bord na Móna have made arrangements to collect the arrears over a period of three months during the high earnings period next summer.
On a point of order, will the Minister now tell us what Irish company has taken over this group?
(Interruptions.)
The Minister will not answer the question.
I called Question No. 34.
The Deputy raised a point of order. Surely the Chair should reply to it.
(Interruptions.)
We have 122 Questions to do. I called Question No. 34.
I insist on my rights as a Deputy in this House.
Surely the Deputy is entitled to raise a point of order?
I did not hear the reply to the question that I put down. If this question is to be taken as being answered, I want a written reply from the Minister. If I do not get the opportunity of raising this matter again, I shall raise it on the Adjournment.
I shall be glad to read the reply again for the Deputy but I would ask his cohorts to remain quiet while I do so:
The new scheme is on a contributory, funded basis and as the improved benefits will be effective from 4th June, 1970, the increased contributions will also have to be paid from——
I cannot hear the Minister.
(Interruptions.)
Deputy Tully is complaining that he cannot hear the Minister.
I want to ask the Minister——
——that date by both Bord na Móna and the members.
The board are arranging to collect the increased contributions under the new scheme from a current date. The arrears of contributions due from 4th June, 1970, are not very substantial—about £7 in the case of a man earning £800 a year—and Bord na Móna have made arrangements to collect the arrears over a period of three months during the high earnings period next summer.
If Deputy Coughlan wishes to put a supplementary arising out of these questions, he may do so.
I thought the Ceann Comhairle had heard me long ago. I want the Minister for Transport and Power to name the Irish company that have taken over the business of the Hibernian Transport Company. He has said there was one company involved.
Palgrave Murphy.
No company have taken over Palgrave Murphy.
Which company, then?
There are other companies engaged in doing the business that this company were doing but no one company has taken it over.
Which company? Such impertinence.
CIE have taken over the cream of the business which is the tours. Who has taken over the shipping?
The Minister is trying to cover up.
I am sorry to have to raise my question again but I did not hear the reply. Therefore, I would ask the Minister to read it again.
The Deputy's question has already been answered twice.
The Chair will admit that not even he heard the reply and that, therefore, I could not have heard it.
Since Deputy Tully is a courteous Deputy, I shall read the reply again:
The new scheme is on a contributory, funded basis and as the improved benefits will be effective from 4th June, 1970, the increased contributions will also have to be paid from that date by both Bord na Móna and the members.
The board are arranging to collect the increased contributions under the new scheme from a current date. The arrears of contributions due from 4th June, 1970, are not very substantial—about £7 in the case of a man earning £800 a year— and Bord na Móna have made arrangements to collect the arrears over a period of three months during the high earnings period next summer.
In view of the fact that the fault was neither that of the board nor of the workers, would not the Minister consider that the easiest way to deal with the matter would be simply to change the date of the deductions to the date from which the scheme has been approved?
I shall bring that point of view to the notice of the board. Also, I shall be in touch with the Deputy on the matter.
The remaining questions will appear on tomorrow's Order Paper.