Michael Lowry (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There is one issue that needs to be dealt with, namely, the forced retirement of people aged over 70 years in rural Ireland who are providing a bus service on behalf of the Department. They cannot drive a school bus but they can do an international route. They can travel anywhere on the Continent even though they are over 70. In several instances buses have had to be taken off school bus routes because there are no drivers. The drivers would be available if we got rid of this nonsense of requiring drivers aged over 70 to retire. They are perfectly capable and experienced. They know exactly what they are doing and people feel safe with them but for some reason Bus Éireann does not allow this. I ask the Minister of State to use his offices to have that matter looked at.