Ms Angela Gallagher:

I am delighted to be here this afternoon and to have the opportunity to discuss the issue of mandatory retirement. I appreciate that the issue and its implications for employment law, for pensions policy and for many other areas is very complex. At the same time, it is also very simple. People should not be forced out of their jobs because they are a certain age. If we accept that basic principle, we can overcome the complicated policy issues thrown up by abolishing mandatory retirement.

People like me, who are able to work, willing to do so and capable of doing our jobs effectively should not be forced to retire because of our age. To me, this is simply ageism; it is discrimination against me and thousands of people in Ireland like me who are deemed expendable.

In my own case, the frustration of losing my job for no other reason than because I had turned 65 years of age was exacerbated by the financial hardship this policy of mandatory retirement inflicted on me. I was trying to pay a mortgage to the bank and a loan to the credit union at the same time. It was very difficult to keep going. I had to cut right back. I had to get rid of my telephone, television and anything I could to save money. I even had to cut back on my medication several times because the cost exceeded the maximum per month under the drugs scheme and I simply could not afford it. There were weeks and months when I did not know how I was going to pay the bank and when I worried whether I would even be able to keep my home.

The thing that annoys me most and the reason I am before the committee today is that none of this was necessary. I wanted to work and I was able to work. I liked what I was doing and I was good at my job. If I had not been forced out of my job I would have been able to work until I was secure. I would have been able to keep contributing to the economy as well. I urge committee members to recognise what older workers have to offer, in particular, the skills, experience and wisdom we have built up in our careers. I strongly support the legislation proposed by Deputy Ferris. I thank the committee members for their attention.