Michael McNamara (Clare, Labour) | Oireachtas source

As I said, the section 32 introduced by the Minister does not contain anything that was not there previously. One of the provisions that is restated but was always there has affected Aer Rianta international staff. The provision I speak of says every scheme to which subsection (1) relates shall fix the time and conditions of retirement for all persons to or in respect of whom superannuation benefits are payable under the scheme. Aer Rianta International is now part of the Dublin Airport Authority and it has gradually moved to Dublin Airport since the 2004 Act. It now recruits in Dublin, rather than Shannon, but some members of staff are still based in Shannon. They fear how this could be used, although I do not sense a conspiracy.

The provision is already included in section 32, but their fear is that it could be used to fix their retirement age and benefits or incentivise them to leave their employment at Shannon. There seems to be movement within Aer Rianta International to transfer as many operations as possible from Shannon to Dublin. Will the Minister give them some comfort or allay their fears?