Mr. Ger Deering:

I absolutely agree. It is a matter for the Department of Transport to devise the scheme. In answer to the Cathaoirleach's question, we will be working in close co-operation with the Department. I take her point about the notice. I could never understand how somebody is supposed to give notice. In our working day, we may think and hope we will get the 6 p.m. train but it may then turn out that we do not get it because we do not get out of work on time or for whatever reason. I agree with the Cathaoirleach. If we look back at this, as a society we have been lacking. When Emily O'Reilly did her first report, to put it at its simplest what she said was that the scheme did not meet equality law because there was a cut-off at 65 years of age. This meant anybody over 65 was not supposed to be out. That was the theory at the time.