Derek McDowell (Labour)

I have read again the report of the Commission on Public Service Pensions, which I read on its publication. I also recall meeting Senator O'Toole in a hotel in north Dublin about four or five years ago when we discussed it at length over a few pints. It is remarkable that the Minister has reduced to two decisions such an interesting, lengthy report containing many recommendations. He has indicated that he will make more decisions, but he has not yet done so. The only two decisions we have are that there is a presumption that one retires at 65 and that if one wishes one can continue to work for longer than that. I have no problem with the second of those, nor does anybody else. If people want to work beyond the age of 65, and there are plenty of people who do, they should be entitled to do so and should not be told there is no further use for them and they should go away.

My worst moment during the election campaign of 2002, bar the count, was when I chaired a Labour Party press conference one morning dealing with issues relating to older people. This provision was one of them.