Ms Maeve McElwee:

It is our general experience that most employers will engage with their staff regarding changes to defined benefit pension scheme commitments. There are significant equality issues in the treatment of staff on defined benefit schemes and those on defined contribution schemes. It behoves employers, therefore, to engage throughout the process and, in general, that is what happens. As Mr. O'Brien said, there may be individual exceptions but it is not the generality because obviously what one wants to see a good work environment continuing. Employers that have engaged with defined benefit pension schemes typically provide benefits over and above what they are required to and, therefore, they are keen to ensure they maintain the good working relationship those schemes have generated for the business. However, they have to deal with existing financial pressures on them.