Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Thursday, 9 Nov 2000

Vol. 525 No. 4

Written Answers. - Pension Provisions.

Desmond J. O'Malley

Ceist:

72 Mr. O'Malley asked the Minister for Public Enterprise the present position regarding the application for equality in indexed linked pensions with other retired public servants by retired Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta staff who are now in receipt of pensions considerably below those of equivalent public servants elsewhere. [25274/00]

Minister for Public Enterprise (Mrs. O'Rourke):

My reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 315 and 316 dated 3 October 2000 gives a full account of the background and developments concerning Aer Lingus and Aer Rianta pensions.

In the meantime, I met with representatives from the Retired Aviation Staff Association on 10 October 2000 to hear details of their submission presented to the task force on pensions. The secretary general and other officials from my Department also met the association on 23 October 2000.

Enhancements to the existing entitlements of pensioners must be linked to and in line with any improvements that emerge from negotiations between staff interests and the companies concerned on proposed new pension schemes. My Department will monitor these negotiations with particular regard to the concerns of retired staff.

While fully aware of the commercial imperatives under which the companies operate and the cost implications of pension enhancements, I nevertheless hope the agreed terms of any new schemes will enable the pensioner's concerns to be addressed as much as possible.