Shane Ross (Dublin Rathdown, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Yes, without getting involved in the detail of any dispute between CIÉ and the workforce, which I will not do. Obviously, I want to see this resolved amicably and in a mature way. Any offer of an independent expert advice to the trades unions to help them clarify facts regarding the pensions issues should be welcomed. That offer, as far as I know and am told, is still on the table, and I hope that all parties in this dispute will get together and do this. I also hope that the funding proposals to the Pensions Authority go ahead to get the schemes back on track. We have a very serious situation here, which the Deputy acknowledges, for the workforce and I have a great sympathy for them. I will do anything I can without intervening to encourage them to get back to the WRC and discuss these matters, which of course affect their future and the future of other people. It is certainly my duty, not so much as a Minister but as a public representative, to see that their fears are assuaged. They have the legitimate fears of anyone who is in such a pensions trap, and it is not unique to CIÉ. I was even looking at some of the pension funds and the comparison between the performance here and the funding gap in CIÉ. It is not unusual and it is one they share with a large section of the workforce.

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