Olwyn Enright (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

The national pensions framework has been published and we will have the opportunity to discuss it in more detail at the Select Oireachtas Committee on Social and Family Affairs tomorrow. Does the Minister propose to try and adopt what is in the framework in a cohesive, all-encompassing way or does he propose to make changes on a budgetary basis year in and out as has been done in the previous two budgets with schemes such as PIPS? I put this question because of the lack of security workers feel they have with regard to the pensions they expect to receive but which in many cases they will not realise. The reason I asked this question is that a legal action is being brought against the State by workers in Waterford Crystal, of which I am sure the Minister is aware. They allege the State manifestly disregarded its obligations under Directive 80/987/EEC which deals with insolvency. Deputy Shortall questioned the Minister's predecessors on this in the House. The workers in Waterford Crystal quote the Robins case in the UK and argue that had we transposed the directive properly they would at least have received a far bigger percentage than they are receiving under the current arrangements. I presume the State will defend that action. What answer will the Minister give us in the House on the allegation made? The workers are making this allegation now but it was made in the House previously and was not adequately responded to by the Government.

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