John Whelan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I am grateful to the Minister for the information. In the matter he raised, I would like to respond by saying it is not on the part of the Senators that the schedule was changed at 2.30 p.m to reschedule the business of the House. I had anticipated the question would be taken at 6 p.m. With no disrespect, the question was tabled last Wednesday and deferred at the Minister's request to be taken this week at a more suitable time.

I am grateful for the response but for the ESB workers it is a worrying transformation in how the pension scheme is being handled and dealt with in the company. The ESB group of unions is going so far as to describe it as a pensions crisis. From speaking to workers, it is leading to unease and some of them are talking about industrial action and unrest. No more than the workers, the Minister would not relish that outcome if the workers did not find comfort in the reassurances of the ESB. The last thing we need heading into the winter months is industrial unrest from a company of such strategic importance to our economic recovery as the ESB.