Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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694. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his views on correspondence (details supplied) regarding an IASS issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27385/14]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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I refer to my previous reply to the Deputy in relation to similar correspondence on this matter from the same individual (PQ 25150 /12 Jun).  A brief update of that previous response is provided below. The Expert Panel established to find a solution to the industrial relations issues relating to the IASS presented its final report on 16 June last. 

Now that the Panel's work is complete, I have urged all the parties to give the report very careful consideration, use its recommendations as the basis for timely constructive engagement, and achieve a resolution in the best interests of all. In this regard, the Panel has recommended that the IASS trustee should meet with the employers to discuss and agree how funding for deferred members of the scheme is to be made available to alleviate, as much as possible, the impact of the trustee's proposals, while recognising the overall affordability to the employers of the proposals. This represents the best chance to resolve this long-standing problem, and give the members of the scheme some certainty about their future pension entitlements.

I have no concerns about the constitutionality of the legislation mentioned and powers of the Pensions Authority to wind-up pension schemes where deficits cannot be resolves is well known. The Deputy's constituent seems to suggest that Aer Lingus is solely responsible for resolving the deficit in the scheme. This is very much a minority view and is not supported by legal advice.