Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Scheme trustees have duties and responsibilities under trust law, under other relevant legislation and under the Pensions Act 1990, as amended. The duties of pension scheme trustees include administering the trust in accordance with the law and the terms of the trust deed and rules. I had previously confirmed that the matter relating to the scheme we spoke about recently has been raised by my Department with the Pensions Authority. It has informed me that an examination of the scheme is being actively pursued. The Pensions Authority will assess if there has been a breach of any legal obligations and take any necessary action if such a breach is found. I am not in a position to tell the Deputy when this will happen, and I know that is probably frustrating. In fairness, the authority is doing a good deed for us and it is not within my gift to tell it to hurry up. The authority will revert as quickly as it can.

There is another matter that is not reflected in the question. I know the Deputy has some amendments to the Social Welfare Bill and I spoke to her colleague yesterday evening when we were debating the Bill. The amendments will be ruled out of order in regard to this Bill. They are not suitable for this Bill and they would be more appropriate for the social welfare and pensions Bill. I ask her to put down the amendments again to that Bill.

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