Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It would not make any difference. The reason for that is because nobody can be made to retire at 65 today, unless it says so in their contract. That legislation, if one was to bring it forward, would not change those contracts. What we need to do is change society's view so somebody at 65 does not have to be retired if they do not want to be. I met wonderful people yesterday. Sixty is the new 40, and we will all be there before we know it - some of us are there now. We are living longer and we are vibrant and healthy. In this State we are living on average until we are 84 or 86. We should be encouraging workers. I believe the way to do that is to lead by example. If we can do that in the public sector, we might see the trickle effect. What we need to do is change societal norms. Just because a person gets to 65-----

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