Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 February 2017
189. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage, Regional, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs if there are any consequences for North-South bodies such as Waterways Ireland and more specifically for pension entitlements for existing pensioners or future retirees in view of Brexit. [7921/17]
View answerMy Department co-sponsors two of the six North-South Implementation Bodies established under the Good Friday Agreement, Waterways Ireland and An Foras Teanga/the Language Body.
Brexit creates a range of challenges for North-South Implementation Bodies. As I have previously advised the House, my Department continues to participate in inter-Departmental preparations for Brexit and has established an internal Working Group to address all Brexit related issues affecting the Department and the State Bodies it funds, including the two North South bodies referred to above.
I am advised that, as the North-South Implementation Bodies were established under an Agreement reached between the Governments of Ireland and the United Kingdom which was not dependent on European Community membership, there are unlikely to be implications directly stemming from Brexit for occupational pension entitlements for existing pensioners or future retirees. The implications for State Pension entitlements are a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Social Protection.
