John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)

I thank Senator Terry for raising this issue and apologise for the absence of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Coughlan.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs has responsibility for the implementation of the Pensions Act 1990 which regulates occupational pension schemes and provides for equal treatment of men and women under occupational benefit schemes. It also established the Pensions Board to supervise such schemes and their operations.