Shane Cassells (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. I join the Cathaoirleach in welcoming the ambassador to the Seanad. The Cathaoirleach, the Leader and I had the pleasure of a very good engagement a while ago with the OSCE in Luxembourg. We met the Prime Minister, Mr. Bettel. We worked collaboratively with the Parliament there. The ambassador is very welcome and I thank her for coming in today and for her presence.

I want to raise the issue of the restoration of the pension deal for 7,000 An Post pensioners. Agreement was reached in January as a result of protracted and detailed negotiations with An Post and the Communications Workers' Union. They welcomed a recommendation of the Labour Court that provided for a total increase to the pensionable pay and the pensions of the company of just over 10%. This goes back to a scenario in 2013 when the workers supported restrictions on increases in pensionable pay to protect the pension scheme at a time when it was in deficit.

In January an agreement was reached as a result of the interjection and recommendations of the Labour Court. It was very much welcomed by the 7,000 An Post pensioners. Regrettably, we have had a delay in the approval of the restoration because it is subject to the signature of the Minister for the Environment, Climate and Communications, Deputy Ryan. This agreement was reached back in January and we are now coming into July. Quite simply, it is unacceptable. These people served the company and their communities well. At a time when we are moving into everything being digitalised and on our phones, including our cash, the postal workers in our communities are a stable presence.

The issue of the post office is regularly raised here. It is argued and fought for. We want to make sure we honour the people who do the job. The restoration of the pensions was agreed in January. It is absolutely unacceptable that almost seven months later, we still do not have the approval or signature of the Minister, Deputy Ryan. I seek the good offices of the Leader and the Cathaoirleach to write to the Minister to ask him why there has been an unacceptable delay and to make sure it is rectified so we can have the deal reached by the Labour Court and restoration of the pensions of the 7,000 An Post pensioners.