Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
279. Deputy Séamus McGrath asked the Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment to provide an update on the Industrial Relations Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers Bill 2021 (details supplied). [33236/26]
View answerGovernment has agreed to my colleague, Minister Burke's recommendation that a money message not be issued in respect of the Industrial Relations (Provisions in Respect of Pension Entitlements of Retired Workers) Bill 2021 and that Government oppose the Private Members’ Bill by way of a reasoned response. This reasoned response has since been shared by my Department with the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Tourism and Employment.
While the policy concerns raised by retired workers are acknowledged and understood, a detailed assessment has indicated that the Bill would give rise to significant legal, structural, operational and financial implications which we cannot support. In particular, the proposals would have far-reaching consequences for the core architecture of the State’s industrial relations framework. In addition, the current legal structure provides adequate protection for retired workers, particularly concerning the potential reduction of benefits within funded defined benefit schemes. The measures outlined in this Bill could, moreover, severely undermine the existing dispute resolution bodies which are provided to retired workers to vindicate their rights including the Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman.
