Vol. 496 No. 3
35 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Public Enterprise when she will approve the agreement for the rationalisation of the various pension schemes in relation to salaried officers and clerks in CIE; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22657/98]
Amending schemes were drafted to give effect to the necessary restructuring of CIE's salaried staff superannuation schemes. When the previous Government thought it had dealt with the problem at the end of 1996, legal problems were identified by the Attorney General which necessitated considerable detailed attention. When those were dealt with, further difficulties were discovered at the beginning of this year which are proving complex to resolve. They are being urgently addressed by the Department, CIE and the Office of the Attorney General.
It is sad that people who worked for years for CIE for low wages and who are now on small pensions are awaiting their due. I hope we are nearing the end of this problem. After it was thought the initial difficulties were dealt with, further ones arose and it now seems as if primary legislation will be needed. The Minister of State, Deputy Jacob, hopes to introduce the Road Transport Bill before Christmas, and it is planned that an amendment will be included in that to address the issue. Deputy Michael D. Higgins has often asked the Taoiseach on Question Time about this problem.
It is amazing that, after four and a half years of examination, the combined legal and political minds of the country cannot find a means to pay CIE workers their pensions. I am sure the Minister agrees with me on that. I was partly involved in trying to resolve the problem when I was Minister of State in the Department. Some of the people on whose behalf I worked are now dead and more will die before they receive their pensions.
Given that primary legislation is now required, will the Minister find a mechanism to make payments on account without legislation pending the rectification of the scheme? The rates of payment to the people are well known and it is legalising them which is at issue. Can the Minister make payments on account to the people involved pending the legislation and, if so, will she do it before Christmas?
I do not know if it can be done legally so I will not make any commitment or give a guarantee. However, I will suggest it to my officials because the situation is sad. The people involved received low salaries and their consequent pensions are small. The problem has defeated the previous Attorney General and this one. However, it appears that, through legislation, there is a chance to resolve the problem by inserting an amendment in the Road Transport Bill. I will certainly raise the issue of payment on account.
