Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I must again make it clear that the IASS and its funding are primarily matters for the trustees, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority.  Following SIPTU’s recommendation last November to its members in the DAA and the Shannon Airport Authority to reject the IASS trustees proposal, the Secretaries General of my Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation wrote to the expert panel on 2 December to clarify certain industrial relations issues which were the subject of the expert panel report completed last June.  The panel was asked to re-engage with SIPTU and ICTU and provide clarity on these matters.  Discussions took place immediately before Christmas between the Departments, members of the expert panel and ICTU on this engagement which helped to refine the areas of focus for the panel. 

Given the unavailability of the relevant personnel over the holiday period, I understand it was not until just after Christmas when arrangements could be agreed for the panel to engage with ICTU and establish the relevant position of the unions involved, the DAA and the Shannon Airport Authority.  That process is ongoing and it is for the panel to complete this work as effectively and efficiently as possible.  Given that the trustees' proposal was implemented with effect from 31 December, it is vital that the industrial relations issues among certain DAA and Shannon Airport Authority staff are resolved at the earliest opportunity.  In that regard, the deadline of 15 March for the signing of waivers is a matter for the DAA and the Shannon Airport Authority.  At this stage, it is important that there be clarity on the areas of concern in order that IASS members, with all other DAA and Shannon Airport Authority staff, have visibility and certainty on their future pension arrangements.

See this speech in context