Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Efforts to address the future funding of the Irish airlines superannuation scheme date back many years and span the terms of several Governments.  As it is not a public sector pension scheme, I do not have the authority to prescribe or impose a solution.  While I want to help, this is primarily a matter for the trustees, the members of the scheme, the companies participating in the scheme and the Pensions Authority, which is the regulator of such pension schemes.

Following consultations between my Department, the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Irish Business and Employers Confederation and the Irish Congress of Trade Unions, an initiative was taken to establish an expert panel in an effort to broker a compromise. The panel was asked to carry out an investigation into how the industrial relations issues relating to the scheme might be resolved.  It has given an update to the Department on its progress and is continuing to work intensively on the matter. I have emphasised the need for the parties to put all their efforts into engaging with the expert panel.  It is important for the panel's work to be allowed to continue without interference.

The outcome of the recent ballots by IMPACT cabin crew at Aer Lingus was very disappointing. IMPACT's decision to serve strike notice on the company for action on Friday, 30 May next, which relates to rostering issues rather than the pension scheme itself, was also disappointing. It follows the most recent threatened strike action over St. Patrick's weekend, which means there have been three threatened strikes this year. Industrial action and the threat of industrial action are highly disruptive for passengers and are damaging to the company's position. As Minister with responsibility for transport and tourism, I encourage all the parties to work to find a resolution without repeated threats of industrial action. The Labour Relations Commission and the Labour Court are available to Aer Lingus and IMPACT. I encourage both parties to make full use of the State industrial relations machinery that is available to them.

See this speech in context