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

The Deputy has made a very good point. There is a broader issue where there is an interdepartmental group looking at the whole area of retirement from uniformed public services, whether An Garda Síochána, firefighting or Defence Forces. We have increased retirement age limits on an interim basis in the Defence Forces. We are living longer. Thankfully, Ireland has made dramatic gains in health outcomes and we are living far longer than we did 20 years ago. We are almost topping the European Union table in life span and people who are 60 now are much fitter than a 60 year old 20 years ago. The point is well made. But there are pension issues and it has implications particularly in relation to the fast-accrual pension situation, hence an interdepartmental group is looking at it. I think the Minister for public expenditure wants to do that very expeditiously because obviously it affects recruitment and retention.

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