David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to point out that I tried to raise this question and other allied questions about pensions in the debate on the Finance Bill and was told that it was a matter for the Department of Social Protection. I was told that the Minister for Social Protection would be in the House and could deal with it so that is rather extraordinary. The Minister discussed this issue on "Prime Time", discussed it with leaders inside Independent News and Media and consulted the Attorney General so he obviously feels that it is a matter within his remit.

It is quite extraordinary that this situation is being allowed to continue. Independent News and Media has been engaged in asset stripping. It is a profitable company that has been asset stripping the pension reserves in order to pay dividends and give enormous amounts of money to a small number of individuals. This matter should have been addressed after the Aer Lingus and Clerys debacles. It was flagged at that point and it was clear that there was going to be another situation where pensioners would be disgracefully treated in this republic where everybody is supposed to be equal. Why has it not been addressed? Will the Minister give any commitment that this glaring issue will be addressed?

The fact that a profitable company can asset strip the resources of the company away from pensioners shows the venomous side of capitalism. Regardless of whether it is relevant to this Bill, and it seems to me that it is perfectly relevant, Senator Higgins's third amendment, which changes the Title of the Bill, would have the effect of making it directly and immediately relevant. This is a process in these Houses. We can change legislation and are entitled to change the Title of a Bill. If that change had been allowed, there could be no argument that this was not directly relevant and germane. For that reason, the discussion of these amendments is a bad day's work.

Why are we being passed from Billy to Jack? We are being told that it is not a matter for the Finance Bill and that it is a matter for the Social Welfare Bill. We are then told that it is not a matter for the Social Welfare Bill. What is it a matter for? Where do we address these issues? As a House of Parliament, we should be entitled to address these issues which are of burning importance to citizens of this State who are unfortunate enough to be employed by Independent News and Media.