asked the Minister for Transport and Power if he will state in relation to the 50/50 contribution for superannuation under the Turf Development Act (a) if his Department requested Bord na Móna to consider amendments to the superannuation scheme on the assumption that the 50/50 contribution would continue; and (b) if the board was requested to consider amendments to the scheme irrespective of the 50/50 contribution.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Bord na Móna Superannuation Scheme.
7.
All the suggestions for amendment of the regular workers pension scheme put forward by the Bord na Móna group of unions on 30th June, 1971, were transmitted by my Department to Bord na Móna for consideration. Under section 6 of the Turf Development Act, 1953, the initiative for the preparation of amending superannuation schemes rests with Bord na Móna. As I informed the Deputy in reply to a question on 9th December, the matter is still under consideration by the board.
Is the Minister telling me that his Department will not interfere if a recommendation is agreed on between Bord na Móna and the trade unions concerned?
The Deputy should not anticipate matters. I am waiting for the recommendation. The Deputy is probably aware that the board met the unions concerned last week and matters were finalised between them and I am expecting the board's recommendation to me before the end of this month.
I do not think the Minister is quite up to date as to the position. I am not anticipating the Minister. I am just asking did I hear the Minister aright. Is he prepared to sanction an agreement made between the board and the trade unions, as his predecessor was not?
I would want to see it first.
Then the first part of the Minister's reply was not, in fact, correct.
I have to see the recommendation.