All four Waterford TDs issue statements on Waterford Crystal pensions debacle
All four Waterford TDs have spoken on the Waterford Crystal pensions issues this week.
For decades, former workers of Waterford Crystal have been fighting for their pensions.
Their battle has traversed the highest levels of Ireland’s legal and political stages since 1992.
The pensioners have had their case raised in the High Court, the European Court of Justice and in Dáil Eireann in front of former and present Taoisigh.
Last week, a meeting attended by close to 50 of the former workers was held with a view to identifying the next steps in the fight.
Following the meeting, we received statements from all four local TDs outlining their stance.
In the aftermath of an article published in the Waterford News & Star last week, a meeting of the Waterford Crystal Pension Action Group (WCPAG) was called.
The article we published revealed internal documents from the Department of Social Protection, who appear hesitant to take responsibility over the debacle.
One of the documents seen by this newspaper came from Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary.
In it he said that “there is nothing further that the Government or my Department can do in order to intervene, and no liability arises for the State in this regard”.
The former workers take issue with this stance and are disputing information coming from the Department.
“The Department of Social Protection are stonewalling us,” said Walter Croke, a former master glassblower at Waterford Crystal.
At the meeting, Mr. Croke expressed dissatisfaction with information that is being provided to local Ministers and TDs from the Department.
His concern arises from a statement made by Minister Mary Butler in December, who said that an answer she received in 2017 from then Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty was incorrect (Read more).
“Regina Doherty, who was the Minister at the time, said the workers were offered their (pension) options, and they weren’t,” Minister Butler said.
Mr. Croke informed the crowd at the recent meeting that he believes Dáil records will need to be corrected in light of Minister Butler’s statements.
He said that the alleged incorrect answer given to Mary Butler by the Department in 2017 casts doubt on every other response the Department has provided over the years regarding the Crystal pension issue.
Amongst those who have been fed answers on the topic from the Department are former and current Waterford Ministers, TDs and Senators, including Paudie Coffey, John Halligan, David Cullinane and Mary Butler.
“The Department rule the roost and they advise the Ministers, but the Department have been offside on a number of issues over the last number of years,” Mr. Croke said.
“They are wrong and we believe we can prove it, but we’ve got to get past their stonewalling. We have two Ministers here, and they need to do something about this.”
We approached Minister Mary Butler for comment, asking if she has discussed with Minister Calleary or his Department the issue of incorrect information.
We also asked Minister Butler if she believes a correction of Dáil records to be possible.
Minister Butler said in a statement, “Both I and members of my team have had lengthy conversations with former workers in recent weeks. Based on our follow up, it’s my understanding that corrections to the record of the Dáil are usually made by the member concerned shortly after an error or mistake is identified.
“As the Ministers in question are no longer members of Dáil Éireann and these statements were made a number of years ago, the practical options for correcting the record are unfortunately limited.”
Three days after last week’s meeting, representatives from the pensions group met with Sinn Féin TDs David Cullinane and Conor D. McGuinness, where it was agreed that the workers will continue to press for direct engagement with Minister Calleary.
Following the meeting, Deputy Cullinane said, “These workers have been treated with contempt for far too long. The continued stonewalling by the Department of Social Protection is simply unacceptable. The workers are very clear that they want a direct meeting with the Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary, so that their case can be heard properly. That is a reasonable and fair request."
Deputy McGuinness added, "These workers have been campaigning for years and they should not have to fight simply to be heard. They want the two Junior Ministers in Waterford to step up and ensure that a meeting with Minister Dara Calleary and the former workers takes place without further delay."
We approached Minister John Cummins to ask if he would be open to meeting with the former workers alongside Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary.
A spokesperson for Minister Cummins said: "Anytime there has been a request to meet with representatives, Minister Cummins has done so - as recently as January 30, 2026, with John Tebay, Martin Hearne and Eddie Lacey on behalf of the group at his constituency office."
We approached Minister Butler for same.
She said, “I have always engaged with former workers of Waterford Crystal and members of the WCPAG who contacted my office directly and in good faith.”
