Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The briefing note I have states a rule amendment requires the support of all the members. With regard to providing a pension fund for new airport workers, the legislation is necessary to provide an alternative pension fund for the new airport workers. I accept there are other ways it could be done, for example by a different amendment on Report Stage or some convoluted means of moving people to the employment of a different company. This is the only amendment on the table today to allow this.

The operation of pension funds, etc., is not my Department's remit. The Department of Social Protection is responsible for pensions policy. The Pensions Authority and Pensions Ombudsman are responsible for complaints and regulation. My Department does not want to get involved in the intricate detail of any pension fund not under its remit. It is within the remit of other bodies.