Minister criticises North-South body's pension proposes

A recommendation from the North-South Ministerial Council proposing changes to pension legislation in Northern Ireland has no legal authority, the Minister for Social Development, Nigel Dodds, has said.

The Minister added that he wished to set the record straight on the council’s proposal which, he added, is in an area for which his department has the devolved responsibility.

Mr Dodds said: “My department will not be pursuing the pensions recommendation. Apart from the fact that we had no input into the proposals, I am very concerned that they do not take account of established policy on maintaining parity with Great Britain on all social security and pensions benefits, as required by section 87 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.

“I am, however, prepared to consider relevant and practical issues on social security and pensions matters which are my responsibility as they arise, but on a separate and distinct basis and not if presented as part of an overall package.”

However, Mr Dodds came under attack from the SDLP's John Tierney, who described Minister's remarks as "highly regrettable".

"The response of the Minister to the publication of this report on Cross-Border Mobility by the North-South Ministerial Council is highly regrettable. These recommendations would benefit thousands of people in Northern Ireland in a very practical way," he said.

"The Minister's reaction displays a political motivation which betrays these workers and their families."

The Foyle assembly member said that his party was disappointed by the Minister's rejection of the report, as he believed it was motivated out of the DUP's stance over the Good Friday Agreement.

He added: "The SDLP will not accept DUP Ministers' penalising border workers as part of their Agreement hokey-cokey."

(MB)