asked the Minister for Industry, Commerce and Energy (a) the dates on which approval in principle was given to each of the several schemes to amend the Bord na Móna superannuation scheme 1963 now contained in the 1978 amendment scheme, the date of approval in principle for the amending schemes for 1972, 1973 and 1975 not yet formally approved; (b) if he will clarify the position of the scheme approved in principle but not formally approved, in relation to any appeal made by a contributing member under the 1963 scheme, if a contributing member may rely on schemes approved in principle as if they had been sealed by the Minister; and (c) the date on which the further amending scheme for added years of service was received in his Department and the latest date of approval.
Written Answers. - Bord na Móna Superannuation Scheme.
(a) The 1978 amendment scheme incorporates three proposed amendment schemes, one submitted for approval in 1968 and two in 1970. Overall approval in principle was given for the proposed amendments on 2 December 1970, the operative date to be 4 June 1970 except in the case of the amendment in relation to the contribution year contained in the 1968 scheme which was to operate from 27 March 1969. In the scheme signed on 13 December 1978 the particular provision relating to deduction in respect of death duty was for legal reasons made effective from the date of formalisation of the scheme.
The dates of approval in principle of the amending schemes submitted in 1972, 1973 and 1975 are as follows: 1972 scheme: 17 November 1972 to operate from 31 August 1972; 1973 scheme: 25 January 1974 to operate from 29 March 1973; 1975 scheme: 31 October 1975 to operate from 1 October 1975.
(b) Amendments which have been approved in principle would have the same effect as if they had been formally approved in an amendment scheme and could, therefore, be subject to an appeal by a contributing member in the same way as regulations contained in the principal scheme.
(c) The proposed amendment dealing with added years of service was received in September 1976 and was approved in principle on 11 June 1979.