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

I assure the Deputy that I am absolutely aware of the difficulty and concerns that these individuals face. I have met them and I have had much dealing on their behalf, but a challenge that must be faced is the request - a request made by Deputy Ross and many of the deferrees also - to go against a recommendation from a trustee of the fund who has statutory responsibility for its management. This is a fund which reported a deficit of €769 million on 27 March 2013. The fund has received additional support from the employers involved totalling €260 million - €190 million from Aer Lingus and €72 million from daa. Included within that is €60 million for deferred members, €20 million of which is an increase due to engagement with the expert panel. I would appreciate if the Deputy could clarify his position on the matter. I understand that on 2 February 2015 Deputy Ross wrote in an article stating that the State should not sell its stake in Aer Lingus, yet he has now asked in the Dáil Chamber that I sell the stake to deal with this matter.

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