Matt Shanahan (Waterford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I raise an issue that has been raised by me and other Waterford Deputies over a period, namely, the Waterford Crystal pension fund. The Minister is well aware these workers were excluded from a future pension annuity and essentially it was said they had signed their rights away. That has been vehemently denied, as the Minister knows, by the workers by affidavit and in 30 years no corroborative paperwork has been provided to support that position. Anyway, because of the ongoing pressure the Minister and the Taoiseach met the workers on Friday, 13 September.

I understand the Department's position has now moved from there being no corroborated paperwork to the fact the 1990 pensions legislation was not enacted until 1993, offering them some protection. Despite that, I understand the Minister and the Taoiseach both have acknowledged a serious wrong has been done here. The Minister was to seek a follow-up meeting with the Attorney General and look for advice. Will the Minister provide the House with an update? There is a general election coming and we do not want this issue to be suspended.

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