Vol. 491 No. 6
43 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she is in a position to sign off on the agreement for the rationalisation of the various pension schemes in relation to salaried officers and clerks in CIE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12801/98]
As outlined in my reply to Question No. 21 of 2 April 1998, amending schemes were drafted to give effect to the necessary restructuring of CIE's salaried staff superannuation schemes. However, during the course of the examination of the draft amending schemes by the Attorney General's office, legal technicalities were identified which necessitated considerable detailed attention.
This process was almost complete when further legal complications arose. These issues are being addressed by my Department and CIE as a matter of urgency. I am not, therefore, in a position to approve the scheme until these legal issues have been resolved. However, I can confirm that, irrespective of the length of time it takes to complete the arrangements for approval, the agreed terms of the new scheme include a provision for an effective date of 1 January 1994. I fully appreciate the concerns of CIE staff and pensioners and I would like to reassure them that my Department will make every effort to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
