Mr. Justin Moran:

On Dr. Shanahan's point, not only does the world of labour research show there is no link between younger people gaining employment and older people losing out, it actually shows a correlation between rising employment for both categories. The more older people are employed, the more younger people are employed. Four of the countries with the top ten employment rates for older people are also in the top ten for the employment of younger people. I suspect Dr. Shanahan and I have been looking at much the same research. An OECD report states, "It is important to dispel a number of myths in this area [...] the claim that fewer jobs for older workers results in more jobs for younger workers, though unfounded, is proving especially stubborn". This proves the Deputy's point; it is a stubborn myth but a myth nonetheless.