Vol. 93 No. 9
I have considered a request from Senator Mary Robinson to raise, on the motion for the Adjournment this evening, the following matter:
The amendment of the Members' contributory pension scheme to provide equality of treatment for male and female Members in the provision of benefits to dependants, following the Labour Court determination of 7 May 1979.
I rule that this matter is not admissible for discussion on the Adjournment on the ground that it would involve amending legislation.
Naturally I accept the Cathaoirleach's ruling in the matter, but would it be open to me to raise on the Adjournment the delay by the Government to take any steps to bring the pension scheme of Members of the Oireachtas into line with the law as so found by the Labour Court?
If such a matter is submitted with due notice the Chair will consider it.
Effectively, that was the intention of the motion—that it was the delay in implementing the scheme. I appreciate that the scheme itself is based on legislation. I did not feel that this should——
I cannot allow a discussion on the matter. The Chair has ruled that the matter is not admissible as it is and that is final so far as the Chair is concerned.
Very well. I will resubmit it for the next sitting of the Seanad, focusing on the aspect of delay in changing the law to comply with the Labour Court.
