Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Obviously I strongly support these amendments. I echo the comments of colleagues last week when we began the discussion of these amendments. Having just listened to the debate on the Topical Issue raised by Deputy Creighton, we know that the Minister, Deputy Donohoe, feels the pain of the deferred pensioners and believes it is a shocking situation. However, this is cold comfort for the pensioners and their families, and I believe the Tánaiste has expressed similar views.

In a week when some effort was made to address the plight of the Waterford Glass pensioners, it is very sad that the pensioners of the airport companies are still left in this shocking situation. As I said last week, I have received streams of e-mails and have met delegations of deferred pensioners. They are feeling great stress over the prospect of what might happen to their pensions after 30, 35, 40 or even 42 years of work for Aer Lingus or DAA. It is a truly shocking situation.

The Minister outlined some of the parameters of the issue on the last occasion. Obviously the 2009 Act has played a detrimental role in the plight of these pensioners. The ability of the companies, Aer Lingus in particular-----

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