Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance) | Oireachtas source

This is one of the most regressive measures any Government can take. It is especially harsh on manual workers. In the case of a bus driver who retires after more than 40 years, as my father did, it is evident that manual workers' lifespan is much shorter than that of white-collar workers or people who do less hands-on or shift work. Many bus drivers die before they reach 70 years of age. Now they have been told they will not be able to receive their pensions until they are 68 and that this will cost them €45 per week, according to SIPTU's research. It is grossly unfair to say to members of the workforce, not least those who have worked in the most demanding jobs, that they will be penalised. While they may apply to Dublin Bus, for example, to continue for another year if they are healthy enough, they have the right to retire after 40 years' service, and they may find themselves making the choice that they cannot afford to retire because they would be €45 worse off per week. Moreover, the age level is rising. The issue has caused riots - near revolutions - in France, Germany and other countries. We have the highest rate of increases in the retirement age in the entire EU, which is shameful. Something needs to be done and the report needs to be examined. Much of the work has been done by SIPTU, including Michael Taft and others, but we need to examine it and its consequences in depth.