Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I do not wish to debate the policy relating to the retirement age, which, for argument's sake, will be 66, 67 and 68, but I have a difficulty with the way the amendment is worded because it would not just require me to produce a report. I am happy to produce a report for the Deputy and, in fact, most of it has been done in the confines of total contributions, which will come before the Cabinet in the next number of weeks. I do not have the money, or even a Vote from which to take it, in order to conduct research, including international comparative research, and engage in public consultation. I note for the purposes of being transparent to the committee that I have written the Bills Office to determine how the amendment was accepted for debate, given that it would probably cost tens of thousands of euro just to do what is asked of me.

If the Deputy wishes to change the wording of the amendment, I will be happy to produce a report, given that it will involve just our staff, but I do not have the money or ability to carry out a public consultation or international comparative research.