Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I will underline that this has not been kicked to the Department of Social Protection. The Deputy has now made that accusation a second time when I have clearly said that has not happened. We are dealing with a pensions issue. While it is of course under the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment as the Deputy's Bill involves an amendment to the Industrial Relations Acts, when it comes to pensions, it is only sensible to engage with the Department of Social Protection, as was discussed at that meeting. The workers' and retired persons' representatives the Deputy brought in agreed to that sensible option. I do not know if that meeting with the Department of Social Protection has taken place but I would encourage that and I encourage those representations. I am completely empathetic and sympathetic to the case before us but I am also aware of and very clear on the industrial relations negotiation mechanisms we have in this State. If the Deputy believes this Bill in its entirety is exactly what needs to be progressed, it is well within her remit to progress it through this House. That is her responsibility, as we have told her in response to oral parliamentary questions and during Questions on Policy or Legislation at least three if not four times since I came into this office. We will of course continue to keep an open mind and look at these issues as widely as possible but I fundamentally believe that involving the Minister, Deputy Humphreys, is sensible where we are dealing with pensions, although the Bill has not been referred to her in any way.

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