Vol. 495 No. 7
192 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the reason an agreement signed with CIE unions on 1 January 1994 on the superannuation fund has not yet been implemented and appears to be still with the Attorney General's office; and if she will make a statement on the matter and ensure that the problem is resolved. [21573/98]
Amending schemes were drafted to give effect to the necessary restructuring of CIE's salaried staff superannuation schemes. However, during the course of the examination of the draft amending schemes by the Attorney General's Office, legal problems were identified which necessitated considerable detailed attention.
This process was almost complete when further legal complications arose. These issues are being urgently addressed by my Department, CIE and the Office of the Attorney General and it is possible that primary legislation may be required. I am not in a position to approve the schemes until these legal issues have been resolved. However, I can confirm that, irrespective of the length of time it takes to complete the arrangements for approval, the agreed terms of the new scheme include a provision for an effective date of 1 January 1994.
