John Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. Unfortunately, this is another case of an employer reneging on its employees' pension scheme. It has been happening consistently in recent years. It is also a case of the Government reneging on its responsibilities, given that this issue has been widely debated, including in the Chamber and by Oireachtas committees. There is considerable frustration. Irish Life workers have been left high and dry by the Government. The Minister is aware that the company's scheme is €240 million in surplus. The lack of action by the Government has not only given a green light to Irish Life to close down its defined benefit pension scheme, but to many other businesses as well.

The Minister alluded to the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017, which we are still awaiting. She stated that the Government was aware of the concerns and issues but did not have the power to intervene, so where are the necessary protections?

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