Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 28 November 2012
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications
Wicklow Port Company: Discussion with Chairman Designate
10:55 am
Mr. Brendan Newsome:
On the pension cost, there is really no issue. The port did not fall into the trap of having significant defined-benefit pension plans. There are strategic reasons for the low figure. It is partly due to the age of the personnel. There is a defined-contribution plan in place, contributed to by the members. There is no negative aspect to the pension. We are very lucky in that respect because most pension schemes in port companies and State companies, and many private companies, are in deficit. There is tight financial control in the company and I am pleased that this will remain the position.