Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)

I am somewhat bemused and wondering if someone can set me straight on what benefits arise from raising the pension age. Unless I have missed something, there is not an unlimited amount of work available with many young people looking for work. I am also sure there will be many over 65s in the coming years who would love to retire which could provide work opportunities for our young people. What savings will be made by raising the State pension age? Those who may be forced to wait for their State pension entitlements could end up on some other social welfare benefit or forced to take a job, thus preventing a younger person from getting it.

There would be some economic argument for this measure if there were unlimited amounts of work available. Unless I am missing something, there is not. On the day he was elected, the Taoiseach said up to 2,000 people were set to leave the country every week. In other words, he was saying, "I am only the Taoiseach. What can I do about it? Up to 2,000 people will leave no matter what the Government does." With 2,000 people leaving every week, the Government is now going to force people close to retirement to work longer. Will the Minister for Social Protection explain the rationale behind this?

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