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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 7 Nov 1972

Vol. 263 No. 5

Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - CIE Pension Schemes.

25.

asked the Minister for Transport and Power the date on which an application was first made by the personnel concerned for an improvement in the CIE clerical and supervisory grade pension schemes; when the proposed revised scheme was received by him for signature; and when he will sign it.

Under section 44 of the Transport Act, 1950, the onus is on CIE to make proposals to me for the amendment of superannuation schemes. I have yet to receive such proposals from CIE in respect of amendments to clerical and supervisory superannuation schemes.

However, I am aware that amendments to these schemes have been the subject of detailed negotiations between CIE and the trade unions. These negotiations have just been finalised and CIE are now in the process of preparing formal amending superannuation schemes for my approval. I might add that, as I indicated in reply to a similar question on 20th April last, I have already approved a proposal to backdate any amending schemes approved by me to 1st January, 1971.

Why has the Minister been so reticent about this matter which has been going on for years, as the Minister knows? Why has he not exerted some degree of pressure on CIE, even to the extent of writing them a letter? There has been no indication from the Minister at any stage that he has brought any pressure whatever to bear on CIE to amend this scheme. He has allowed the unfortunate pensioners to remain in receipt of disgraceful pensions up to the present.

It is obvious that the Minister has been in touch with CIE constantly about this. As I stated in the reply, the scheme is the subject of discussion with the trade unions concerned.

One further supplementary—does the Minister not know as well as I do that he has been bringing no pressure whatever to bear on this company to change the scheme although there are immense funds available? In the answer which he tells us he gave last April he told us that the funds were not sufficient to meet the burdens involved. With the present interest rates these funds will be mountainous by the time the money is paid out in pensions.

The Deputy was not listening to the reply.

These negotiations have just been finalised and CIE are now in the process of preparing formal amending superannuation schemes for my approval.

Since he has drawn attention to that, how long will it take the Minister to finalise the scheme when he gets it?

I could not say.

Will it be months or years?

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