Mr. Manuel Cortes:

Deputy Troy asked what the difference was between the CIÉ pension scheme and other defined benefit schemes. The answer is that it is there by statute, so if somebody is not meeting their obligations, as we believe is the case in respect of CIÉ, it is flouting the law of the land, the law which lawmakers, such as the committee members present, have put in place. Unlike other schemes, it is enabled by statutory instruments. If CIÉ is flouting those instruments it is contradicting the wishes of the Dáil and the political process in Ireland.

We were asked what the committee could do. If it were to call for the Minister to set up an independent inquiry it would be a very powerful call and would be very well received by the unions because we have highlighted a number of areas where we feel the CIÉ group is not in compliance with its legal and statutory obligations. For us to re-engage with the company in any forum we would need to hear from them that they will fund independent legal advice but its representatives have evaded giving an answer today.