Contradictory actions by Govt leave IASS pensioners dangerously exposed

​Local TD, Darragh O’Brien has said that the substantial cuts imposed on the 15,000 Dublin airport pension scheme members is an example of the Minister's reluctance to fairly protect those who have made huge contributions to their pensions over time.


The Deputy was commenting on information received through a series of Parliamentary Questions which indicates that the Government continue to ignore the implications of the Government legislation on the pensions scheme and its 15,000 members nationwide.


Deputy O’Brien said, “Over the past number of years, the members of the IASS pension scheme have been subject to unjust and severe reductions to their pension benefits.


“Unfortunately, the Government has done nothing to reverse the unfair removal of people’s pension’s rights or to prevent the impact that these reductions have had on pension scheme members and their families.


"In fact, Government policy has facilitated and brought about severe reductions in members' benefits.


“I am at a complete loss as to why the Minster for Employment Affairs and Social Protection would introduce legislation to reduce the benefits in the IASS scheme and on the hand in the correspondence to me has said that she; “cannot intervene in the pension arrangements applying to a particular pension scheme.”


"The responses I have received from the Minister regarding the scheme are deeply disappointing and simply just not good enough. I cannot accept that this approach has been applied across the board. 


“Having worked in the pensions sector for 15 years before entering politics, I intend to continue on this course of trying to protect workers' and push for a redress for people such as the airport workers who lost up to 60% of their pension benefits.


“In response to the continued neglect of IASS scheme members; I will be tabling amendments to the Social Welfare & Pensions Bill which will be before the Dáil in the coming weeks,” concluded Deputy O’Brien.