Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I do not propose that the House should divide on the amendment but, as Deputy Broughan stated, complaints regarding pension schemes have been brought to the attention of Members over the past number of years. The longer one is a Member, the more instances are brought to one's attention. I am not critical of the Minister but, under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, responsibility for the postal service transferred from the Department of Posts and Telegraphs to An Post. This included an obligation to observe all the pension and remuneration entitlements that the staff who were transferring had but, unfortunately, that did not happen. If a body such as the Pensions Board had approved the transfer at the time, we might not be in this situation. The reason that happened is a regulation or statutory instrument was introduced to remove authority and responsibility for the obligations entered into by the Minister and the Houses of the Oireachtas in one fell sweep, with the staff left swinging in the air.

Deputy Broughan has tabled a later amendment, which contains a nice, meaty arrangement and, therefore, while I do not propose to seek a division, I will press the amendment.

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