Workers in Irish Life are picketing their workplaces today in the lashings of rain. They want to know when this Dáil will do its job and pass legislation that stops employers who are in good health and whose pension schemes are very wealthy walking away from such schemes and pushing defined benefit schemes out of the equation. Ireland seems to be unique in not having legislation that prevents employers from ditching and undermining pension schemes. In January, I asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017 would be processed through the Dáil.

By 30 June, Irish Life will ditch the defined benefit scheme for these workers unless their strike wins and unless we, in the Dáil, complement that by pushing forward legislation. It does not just have the effect of undermining the pensions of workers in Irish Life, but there are more than 110,000 workers on 460 defined benefit schemes. Open season has been declared on these schemes with €41 billion in assets. What sort of greed does it show that we are allowing that to happen? We are unique in Europe in not having legislation that protects workers in these schemes.

A question on promised legislation.

What will the Government do about it and when?

Committee Stage of the Bill the Deputy mentioned is coming in May. I am making arrangements at the moment that if overspill time is needed, it might take place in the first week in June. That will be confirmed through the committee in the next couple of days. We intend to have the Bill passed before the summer recess.

Will it be possible to have it passed by the end of June?

That is up to the committee and requires the co-operation of the House. We will have Committee Stage at the end of May and then Report Stage. The legislation will then go to the Seanad. With co-operation from everyone involved, my intention is to have it passed.