Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)

Amendment No. 12 seeks to remove the subsection which provides, with some exceptions, for an obligatory retirement age of 70 years for public servants.

Sinn Féin has consistently opposed any ratcheting up of the age at which a person would have the right to claim a State pension. We do not want people forced to work into their sixties and beyond if they chose not to do so for whatever reason. We believe people are entitled to their pension at the age of 65 years. We equally oppose the rigid provision whereby the vast majority of public servants would be forced to retire at the age of 70. A person should have a right to his or her pension age but not an obligation to down tools at the age of 70 years. Curiously, the legislation allows for some exceptions in this regard. For example, a Member of this House can work beyond 70 years. This provision is arbitrary and discriminatory.

In an age when people are living longer and some are fit and well and wish to continue to work at 70 years and beyond there should be no legal impediment to their doing so. However, I do not wish this to be confused with the issue of entitlement to pension at the age of 65 years. I ask that the Minister of State accept this amendment.

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