Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 180: To ask the Minister for Defence if his Department is in compliance with all Acts and regulations in respect of Defence Forces and any other pension schemes for which he is responsible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20477/05]

Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)
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In the conduct of all departmental business, officials of my Department always endeavour to comply with the requirements of all relevant Acts of the Oireachtas and statutory instruments made thereunder. This is also the case in the pensions field and specifically in respect of the Defence Forces pensions schemes made by the Minister for Defence pursuant to the Defence Forces (Pensions) Acts.

The aim is to be fully compliant with all requirements but the Deputy will appreciate that this cannot be absolutely guaranteed at all times. For example, I am advised that section 8(2) of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 provides that "The Minister for Defence shall, with the consent of the Minister (for Finance), make a scheme or schemes for the purposes of granting superannuation benefits to or in respect of members of the Permanent Defence Force appointed on or after 1 April 2004 who are new entrants". No such scheme has yet been made as discussions with the military representative associations regarding the terms of the scheme are ongoing.