Michael Collins (Cork South-West, Independent Ireland Party) | Oireachtas source

As this is my first time addressing the Minister of State, I welcome her to her position and look forward to working with her in the time ahead. The Employment (Contractual Retirement Ages) Bill 2025 aims to help employees who are forced to retire before the State pension age of 66. It allows employees to choose not to retire at the contractual age if it is below 66 unless the employer has a valid reason. The Bill also prevents employers from penalising employees who wish to continue working past retirement age. Its goal is to bridge the income gap for early retirees, encourage longer working lives and support broader pension reforms to ensure stable and predictable retirement incomes which we in Independent Ireland support. I propose that the retirement age be reinstated to its original threshold of 65 years. Additionally, individuals who are capable and willing to continue working beyond this age should have the right to do so.

However, the problem is that we have so many issues in relation to people who deserve respect at any age. I know a gentleman in my constituency in west Cork whose pension was withdrawn a few weeks ago. I raised this in the Dáil. He had an operation and his doctor advised him to take some time abroad if he could. He did and his pension was taken away from him. He is on a non-contributory pension.

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