I have been advised by Aer Lingus that the pensioner concerned has been in touch with the airline in relation to benefit entitlements for single persons from the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme.
According to Aer Lingus the rules of the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme apply equally to male and female members and the scheme complies with relevant equality legislation. The airline also advises that, under the rules of the scheme, the benefits, excluding those for spouses and children, apply equally to single and married members of the scheme.