Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left)
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158. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the contact his Department has had with Aer Lingus and the Shannon Airport Authority regarding the way different actuarial assumptions were used in both companies in their recent proposals for future pension provision; and his views regarding same. [4334/15]

Paschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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In the context of the Trustee funding proposal for the Irish Airlines (General Employees) Superannuation Scheme (IASS), reference to the actuarial assumptions was included in the Expert Panel report of June 2014. At the request of my Department and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, the Expert Panel was asked to re-engage with SIPTU and ICTU in relation to matters dealt with in its report, including the actuarial assumptions, and to provide clarity on those matters.  There were also discussions immediately before Christmas between the Departments, members of the Expert Panel and ICTU in relation to this engagement which helped to refine the areas of focus for the Panel.  The Department is in contact with daa and SAA has been kept informed on relevant matters throughout.   

That process is ongoing at present and it is for the Panel to complete its work as effectively and efficiently as possible in providing the clarifications sought.  In light of the fact that the Trustees proposal aimed at addressing the significant deficit in the scheme was implemented with effect from 31 December 2014, it is now vital that the industrial relations issues among certain daa/SAA staff are resolved as soon possible.