Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste for the clarity of his response. It is a view that is shared broadly across the House. Sinn Féin has also introduced legislation in this area, which I acknowledge. In truth, there are people who will miss the deadline and be forced out. Can we not have consensus that the legislation will be introduced this side of the summer recess and implemented with goodwill across the House? The Workplace Relations Commission has published a code of practice on the issue of longer working which is to inform best practice for employers. However, a code of practice is not enough; it will need legislative underpinning. Certainly, for those who are anxious, for example, those who might be in second relationships, have longer term mortgages or financial commitments about which they are very anxious, and capable of working for many years to come, they should not be forced out the door. I dealt recently with one case in which a driving instructor simply wanted to continue to work. Although there is a huge backlog and we are still trying to recruit and train driving instructors, he was forced out the door. That policy makes no sense. It should not be mandatory for the State and its agencies to push people out the door when they want to continue to work and are capable of working and the State needs their services.

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