Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

No, it is not a stroke of a pen. As I said, it is an issue I am pursuing with the Minister for Public Expenditure, National Development Plan Delivery and Reform, but it has wider implications. It would not just apply to the Defence Forces. We must extend the age limits. That will involve discussions with others who will have issues regarding how that is done. It is not a stroke of a pen. It has wider implications. That said, I accept the Deputy's basic point. I do not see any reason someone who is 50 years of age, such as the person he referenced, should not continue in terms of physical fitness levels and the work they are doing. The issue in public expenditure terms is how to deal with, accommodate and manage fast accrual pensions. There should be a proper system in place to sustain it into the future - not just a short-term measure, but something sustainable. That is the work the interdepartmental group is considering at the moment.

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