Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 February 2026
156. Deputy Tom Brabazon asked the Minister for Transport his plans to set up a taskforce to deal with outstanding issues regarding aviation industry pensions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8814/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to thank the Deputy for this question. Although the Deputy has referred to 'aviation industry' pensions, I will take this to mean the Irish Airlines Superannuation Scheme (IASS). This scheme was established in the 1950s and is a multi-employer pension scheme for employees of Aer Lingus, Dublin Airport, Shannon Airport and former SRT Technics. The operation, management and funding of the IASS is a matter for the Trustees, and I have no role in this.
By way of providing some context, the Scheme went into deficit during the recession and was closed to new members in 2009. Due to funding difficulties, the IASS was restructured by the scheme's trustees in December 2014 (following approval of the Pensions Authority) resulting in benefit reductions to members of the scheme.
In 2015, a representative group of pensioners commenced legal proceedings against Ireland and the Attorney General, claiming a breach of constitutional rights arising from the enactment of the State Airports (Shannon Group) Act 2014, and a failure by Ireland to transpose or implement appropriately the provisions of the EU IORPS Directive 2003/41/EC. Judgement was made in favour of the State on 25 June 2020, and the plaintiffs did not appeal the judgement.
