Written answers

Wednesday, 21 October 2015

Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport

Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme

Photo of Tommy BroughanTommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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170. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of the Government's Aer Lingus shares will be restored to Irish Airlines (general employees) superannuation scheme pensioners; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36709/15]

Photo of Ciarán LynchCiarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
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174. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress in resolving the matters related to the deferred Irish Airlines (general employees) superannuation scheme pensioners: if he will consider the concerns raised by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36813/15]

Photo of Paschal DonohoePaschal Donohoe (Dublin Central, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 170 and 174 together.

An agreed solution was implemented to address the IASS pension funding problems at the beginning of this year. The solution that has been implemented is a matter for the pension scheme trustee, the companies participating in the scheme, the scheme members and the Pensions Authority.

The IASS trustee has confirmed that these measures are in the overall best interest of the members of the IASS as a whole and are fully compliant with National and EU law. I am very conscious that the agreed solution has a significant impact on many members of the scheme. The outcome although not ideal, was preferable to the alternatives, including the wind up of the scheme. As this issue is now the subject of legal proceedings, it would be inappropriate for me to comment any further on the matter.

Under the agreed solution the total contribution proposed by the IASS employers aimed at resolving the IASS difficulties amounts to over €260 million. I have previously made it clear that there is no question of Exchequer funding being made available to supplement the agreed Aer Lingus pension funding solution that is in place.

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