Willie O'Dea (Limerick City, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A category of pensioners, such as deferred pensioners, could be adversely affected by a decision of the trustees to change the terms of a scheme. However, they have no input into that decision which seems grossly unfair. The Minister of State said that if they are unhappy, they can take a case to the courts. There is an old saying, "The courts are open to everybody and so is the Ritz Hotel". Going to court in this country - I could go on about the legal profession of which I am a member - is ruinously expensive.

My proposal is an independent appeals mechanism which will not cost an arm or a leg or substantially further deplete a fund. Will the Minister confirm if people have a right in a situation like this to appeal to the Pensions Authority?