Ms Breda O'Keeffe:

The Deputy has made an important point about pensioners. I presume she is referring to the defined benefit scheme that has been closed to new entrants since the late 1980s. The scheme is in surplus, fortunately, because it has been well managed by the trustees and by the chair of the defined benefit superannuation scheme. It passes the minimum funding standards and the long-term valuation. It is in a relatively good place. As the sponsor, RTÉ recommended a modest increase for its pensioners. We submitted a recommendation to that effect. Under the regulations of the scheme, we cannot authorise any such increase for our pensioners. It has to be approved by the Minister.