Vol. 548 No. 2
52 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Public Enterprise if she has received representations from the SRS (Aer Lingus) pensioners' group; if she will arrange a meeting for the group with executives of Aer Lingus overseen by her office; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4434/02]
I have received representations on behalf of a group of pensioners who were employed by SRS Aviation Limited, a subsidiary company of Aer Lingus involved in ground handling and previously in the aircraft engineering business at Shannon Airport. The engineering business called Shannon MRO Limited was sold to UPS Limited in March 1999. In responding to the representations, I have clearly indicated that the resolution of the pensioners concerns about pension increases and entitlements is a matter for the trustees of the Shannon MRO pension scheme. I have no function or any statutory authority in relation to the Shannon MRO pension scheme.
The pensioners concerns are the subject of legal proceedings which they initiated in the High Court against Aer Lingus, SRS Aviation and the Trustees of the Shannon MRO scheme. I understand that Aer Lingus met with the SRS pensioners in August 1999 in relation to the pensioners concerns. I have requested Aer Lingus to organise a further meeting with the members of the SRS pensioners group and I understand the meeting will take place later this month.
