Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The State industrial relations machinery is just not working for the aviation sector, unfortunately, particularly when it comes to the ongoing dispute about the pension scheme for the airports and the former State airline. The unions, for their own reasons, believe they have no choice other than to engage in the kind of stand-off in which we now find ourselves. While I accept that the current threat of strike action for later this month does not relate to the issue of pensions, it is part of a bigger industrial relations issue. It does not seem possible to resolve this dispute in the normal way. It is incumbent on the Minister to involve himself more fully in this crisis, perhaps by putting in place and developing a more comprehensive framework for its resolution. He pointed out in his response that he is not the trustee. He indicated in the not too distant past that if he were the trustee, or if the resolution of this matter fell within his remit, he would have brought forward a solution that would have resolved the issue by now. I appeal to the Minister now, as I did then, to publish his views and ideas. Perhaps they could act as a template or a basic discussion document for those who are seeking to find a resolution to this issue. I should also mention in this context that section 33 of the State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014 creates further issues with regard to pension entitlements. We will discuss that legislation when it is brought before the House. It is adding to the concerns of workers.

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