Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

The Pensions Board recently expressed concern about the decision of Aer Lingus pilots to use their pension fund to buy shares in their company. I do not often agree with the Pensions Board but in this case I do. I ask the Deputy Leader to invite the relevant Minister, probably the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, to come before the House to state whether he agrees with the concerns expressed by the board and indicate whether employees should use their pension fund to buy shares in their own company. This practice puts at risk the pensions fund. Given the volatile circumstances prevailing at Aer Lingus and Ryanair, employees could end up losing their pension fund.