Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 466: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the manner in which his Department complies with the Pensions (Amendment) Act 2002 in an internal disputes resolution procedure in so far as it applies to Garda Síochána pensions; and when the necessary measures were put in place to comply with the Act in this regard. [31325/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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An internal dispute resolution procedure for Garda pensioners has been in place in my Department with effect from January 2005. The principal officer in the Department's financial shared services centre is responsible for complaints relating to the Garda Síochána superannuation scheme. The principal officer is the person who receives the complaint and who ultimately issues a notice of determination. In his notice of determination he is required to include the following: a statement of what has been decided; a reference to relevant legislation, regulations, legal precedent or any other material relied upon; where a discretionary power has been exercised, a reference to any provisions which confer such power. The principal officer is required to issue a determination within three months of receiving sufficient information to enable the complaint to be considered. It is then open to the complainant to bring forward his complaint to the Pensions Ombudsman who may then decide to investigate the matter, which will result in an order binding on all parties.