Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 37:

In page 15, between lines 38 and 39, to insert the following subsection:

"(9) Any superannuation benefits awarded to or in respect of a person who was assigned or transferred to Aer Rianta from the Department of Transport and Power under Office Notice 4/68 and the terms and conditions relating to those benefits shall not be less reasonable than the entitlements existing immediately before accepting Aer Rianta conditions of employment.".

When Aer Rianta was established in 1968 the Department at that time was the Department of Transport and Power. Some people transferred from that Department to Aer Rianta. Aer Rianta assumed responsibility for the management of Shannon and Cork Airports on 1 April 1969, but negotiations relating to the acceptance of Aer Rianta conditions took years to conclude. This is in compliance with the term of notice 4/68. The majority of staff signed up to Aer Rianta in 1973 and 1974. In the meantime Civil Service pension conditions were revised and approved in January 1972. Therefore, it is important the proposed amendment takes account of the matter. A small number of people are out of pocket by €5,000 to €10,000 in their pension as a result. Can the Minister clarify how many people are affected and the amount of money in terms of pensions? Can the position be rectified without this amendment being pressed? As Senator White mentioned the then Minister of Transport and Power, Mr. Childers, was involved in——