Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I agree with Deputy Conway-Walsh. I detect that the Minister is anxious to change it because she is dealing with the other side of the issue with her social protection hat on. We need to be embracing of experience and age, however. We should be proactive on this issue rather than being forced to act on it as a consequence of legal decisions.

We have seen it going to legal fora in semi-State organisations because they were not proactive in acting on this issue. This policy of retirement at a certain age belongs to a different era. It excludes people of experience and passion who wish to continue to contribute that experience and passion in their chosen field, which could be within the public or private sector. Government should be proactive in terms of moving away from that system and saying to people that as long as they are able, fit and willing to do the job, it will help and encourage them and take away all legal blockages.

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