Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I support Senator Tuffy's amendment. Ireland is behind other countries in terms of recognising the contribution older people can make to society. As people are healthier, live longer and are fitter than ever, many are capable of working beyond the retirement age. I recognise that the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform has made moves in this regard in respect of gardaí, the retirement age relating to whom he is going to extend. We need to take this matter on board and deal with it when opportunities present themselves. This is certainly one such opportunity to make provision in this area.

There has been a great deal of discussion about the pension time bomb This amendment represents one way of dealing with it, particularly for those people who wish to and are capable of working longer. We should not place obstacles in their way or prohibit them from doing so. Having visited the United States on a number of occasions in recent years, I was struck by the number of older people who work in many of shops, department stores and DIY outlets. That trend, which is welcome, is also beginning to become apparent here. We should embrace it and allow people to work for as long as they wish or are capable.