Pension reference should go from Shannon Bill

Proposals in respect of pension rights for airport workers in a Bill currently before Dáil Eireann “have no relevance” for the future of Shannon, it has been claimed. The State Airports (Shannon Group) Bill 2014, will establish Shannon Group PLC on a statutory basis and will incorporate both the Shannon Airport Authority and Shannon Development

“The Bill contains proposals which will affect pension rights of workers and former workers, not only in Shannon but also those who worked for Aer Rianta/DAA and Aer Lingus in other airports in the State,” ClareDeputy Michael McNamara noted

“These proposals have no particular relevance to the future of Shannon Airport and they would seem to me to be misplaced in a Bill, the title of which suggests, is primarily about Shannon.  Therefore, I would like to see these proposals removed from Bill, so that they can be discussed further, without causing delay to the passage of the provisions which concern Shannon specifically.

“Undoubtedly, this Bill marks a further significant step in the implementation of the decision taken by the current Government, shortly after taking office, to support a new future for the Shannon region after years of neglect by Fianna Fáil.  As a Clare Labour TD, I am proud to be a member of the coalition that took this decision.