Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Independent)
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130. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the action she will take in view of the recent ruling in favour of former Waterford Crystal pension members; her plans to introduce new legislation in relation to the protection of workers pensions when a solvent company ignores its defined benefit pension liabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [21050/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The ruling by the European Court of Justice was in response to a reference by the High Court seeking clarification of the interpretation of European law emanating from EU Directive 2008/94EC on the protection of employees in the event of the insolvency of their employer.

The application of this Directive relates to situations of a double insolvency, that is where both the pension scheme and the employer are insolvent.

Following the ECJ ruling, the matter will now revert to the High Court for consideration. Given this matter remains before the courts it would not be appropriate that I comment further on any specific aspects of the case at this time.