Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 170: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Finance if he or his Department met to discuss the pension entitlements of staff at RTÉ; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that RTÉ management has informed the RTÉ trade union group that it is not possible to introduce a model Public Service defined benefit pension scheme due to restrictions imposed by his Department; if his Department has imposed such restrictions; if RTÉ is the only body in the Public Service sphere so excluded; if his further attention has been drawn to the fact that there are three types of pension scheme operated by RTÉ; if he is satisfied that appropriate approval has been given for the establishment of all three schemes, including the special scheme set up for a limited number of undefined employees; the criteria for membership of the special pension scheme established by RTÉ for certain employees; and the precise membership of the scheme. [11212/08]

Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I would like to start by clarifying that neither I, nor my Department are party to the discussions which take place within RTE on pension matters. Furthermore, neither I nor my Department would be aware of, or make any input to such discussions, which are between the Company as employer and its staff.

The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources is responsible in the first instance for matters relating to RTÉ and his Department deals directly with the Company on such issues. The Broadcasting Authority Act 1960 (as amended by the Broadcasting Act 2001) provides that pension schemes and arrangements for officers of RTÉ must be approved by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources with the consent or concurrence of the Minister for Finance. These provisions are similar to the standard provisions which are generally used in legislation governing State Bodies.

My general role under the legislation is to receive for assessment and consent, specific proposals which have already been examined in the first instance by the Department primarily concerned. Normally, proposals received in this way will have been discussed and agreed within the State Body prior to their transmission to the Minister of the relevant parent Department. My role is to consider and assess any public service implications of the proposals. My Department does not engage directly or indirectly in the internal processes within the State Body which lead to the generation of such proposals although in the exercise of my role, it is occasionally necessary for my officials to attend meetings between a particular State Body and its parent Department for the purposes of clarification on points of detail.