Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)

I move amendment No. 21:

In page 28, between lines 12 and 13, to insert the following:

"37.—Section 6 of the Juries Act 1976 is amended by the deletion of "and under the age of seventy years" and the insertion of "and not incapable by reason of infirmity"."

I referred to this issue earlier in the debate. The existing disqualification of those aged over 70 from jury service is age discrimination against senior citizens who wish to serve on juries, of whom there are many. Rather than having an arbitrary cut-off point at 70, there should be a more flexible test to allow capable persons over 70 to perform their civic duties. I would draw the Minister's attention to the section on vision in Towards 2016, the ten-year framework social partnership agreement, which states: "Every older person would be encouraged and supported to participate to the greatest extent possible in social and civic life." That is the essence of the amendment. I hope the Minister will be able to effectively meet what is sought by the Labour Party.

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