Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. He is correct that we have an ageing population. It is something we must endorse and embrace and that is what we are doing. The World Health Organization, WHO, has determined that we have the highest life expectancy in Europe, at 82 years of age. I am conscious of the Minister's comment a few minutes ago that we hear a lot of negativity but to have the highest life expectancy in Europe means we are doing something right.

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