I move:
That Dail Éireann hereby confirms the Córas Iompair Éireann (Additional Powers) Order, 1977.
The purpose of this order is to enable CIE to set up a special superannuation scheme and fund for Irish members of the British based Railway Clearing System Superannuation (RCSS) Fund Corporation which is in the process of being wound up. The RCSS Fund Corporation were set up in Britain in 1873 to provide for the payment of superannuation benefits to the salaried officers and clerks of such British or Irish railway companies as joined the fund.
When the Great Southern Railways Company were established under the Railways Act 1924 as the main rail company in this country, all eligible clerical and salaried employees of the company were members of the RCSS Fund. When the RCSS Fund was being reorganised in 1941 the Great Southern Railway Co. (GSR) decided to withdraw from the fund and set up their own superannuation scheme and fund. The Great Southern Railway Company (Superannuation Scheme) Act, 1947, was passed for this purpose.
On the establishment of CIE in 1945 and with the passing of the GSR (Superannuation Scheme) Act, 1947, the only RCSS Fund members who were left in the country were employees of the Great Northern Railway Board, the County Donegal Railways Joint Committee, and the Irish Clearing House.
Under Acts passed in 1958 and 1971 the undertakings and staff of the Great Northern Railway Board in the State and the County Donegal Railways Joint Committee, respectively, were taken over by CIE. However, as CIE were not authorised to subscribe to the Railway Clearing System Superannuation Fund those staff who were members of that fund were only seconded to CIE, and the Great Northern Railway Board and the County Donegal Railways Joint Committee have been maintained in nominal existence pending the making of permanent arrangements for the preservation of the superannuation rights of such persons.
The Irish Railway Clearing House discontinued business in 1971, and those staff who were not retired on pension with compensation were seconded to CIE pending legislation to enable them to become employees of CIE and become members of the appropriate superannuation scheme. This legislation is in course of preparation.
The urgency attaching to this order stems from the decision of the British Railways Board, who were the largest member of the RCSS Fund, to leave the fund and to set up independent superannuation arrangements. This left the RCSS Fund with few contributing members and accordingly the Railway Clearing System Superannuation Fund Act, 1976, was passed in Britain to dissolve the corporation and the fund and CIE are therefore required to make independent superannuation arrangements for the Irish members of the fund, whether as existing contributors or superannuated members. If such arrangements are not made by 1st January, 1978, in accordance with the terms of the Railway Clearing System Superannuation Fund Act, 1976, the powers, functions, rights and obligations of the RCSS Corporation will be vested in CIE.
As Deputies will appreciate, I am anxious therefore that CIE be empowered as soon as possible to make special superannuation arrangements on behalf of the Irish members in advance of the date of the winding up arrangements of the RCSS. This order will so empower CIE and in addition the GNR and County Donegal Railways Joint Committee can be wound up.
I commend this resolution to the House.
