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The Associaton was established in 2006 after John Nally (Ballgirreen) and Kevin Devane (Shannon Airport) convened a meeting in Limerick to consider forming an association for retired Irish Aviation Authority staff. The meeting agreed to form such an association.

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The main purpose of the association would be to look after the interests of retired staff.

The  meeting agreed to reconvene at a later stage and present a constitution for ratification, with details of a plan to increase membership, set a subscription fee, and various other elements required of an association.

the association would make all endeavours to increase membership by notifying those staff who had retired but had not been aware of the newly formed association.

It was also agreed that close collaboration with various other retired associations, and also with any other associations/unions  would take place. 

A committee was formed.

Kevin Devane was elected as chairman; John Nally was the honorary secretary; Pat O'Sullivan was honorary treasurer; Alan Roche was the committee member from Cork, and Terence Donaghue was the Dublin representative.

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IAARPA Membership

Note for Information.

The Irish Aviation Authority Retired Persons Association (IAARPA) was established to represent the interests of pensioners.  At the time the Association was established neither the IAA pension fund nor the pensions of former IAA employees were under threat.  In fact the pension fund was in a healthy state.  However, in 2008/2009 when equities worldwide took a battering pension funds felt the adverse impact more than most as fund managers historically invested the major share of funds in equities.  The IAA pension fund was no exception.  Added to this the Government imposed a levy on pension funds at 0.75% in 2014 – 0.15% in 2015.

In order to protect the fund and to bring the fund to a fully funded position the IAA and unions agreed in July 2010 to accept the recommendations of a Facilitator who proposed that the shortfall in the fund should be approached on a 50/50 basis. The measures provided that there would be no increase in pensionable pay from 2 July 2011 to 31 December 2013 with a cap on pensionable pay based on CPI to a maximum of 3% in respect of the period 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2018.  These proposals were to be reviewed in Quarter 2 of 2018 following the January 2018 actuarial valuation.  This meant no increase in pensions to 31 December 2013 and a pension increase cap similar to serving staff to 31 December 2013.  Subsequently, the cap on pensionable pay/pension increases was extended to 30 June 2015.  However, the IAA annual Report and Accounts makes provision for 0% increases to pensions in perpetuity.  In the triennial actuarial review at 1 January 2015 the Actuary issued two certificates that the fund did not meet the Pensions Authority requirements in relation to the Minimum Funding Standard and the Funding Standard Reserve.

The IAARPA, on behalf of pensioners, was not party to discussions and subsequent agreement between unions and the IAA simply because the IAA does not have to recognise a pensioner representative body.  In response to IAARPA Executive requests the IAA Director HR has advised the Executive that the IAA does not recognise the IAARPA.  The Executive continues to work at local level and with other pensioner associations at national level for formal recognition.  The IAARPA is determined to protect and advance the interests of IAA pensioners.  In order to do this effectively it must have the support of all pensioners.  Pensioners need to be organised in order to support each other and to present a unified and powerful voice in any discussions that may emerge in the future with the IAA.  There is strength in numbers which enhances the IAARPA ability to represent.  The traditional expectation from the IAA regarding pension increases is seriously threatened.  

The larger the membership of the IAARPA the greater respect the Association will engender.  A team effort will enhance the impact of the IAARPA.  Membership is a low cost way of contributing to the protection of IAA pensions.  It is an investment in the future protection of IAA pensions.  Moreover, it is a means of staying connected to fellow pensioners.

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