Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

This week there was great confusion among the public on this matter. I do not understand why the Government is compelling people to stay. The public service must be made attractive to people and they should be allowed to leave it if they so wish. Making someone stay in a job for 44 years is not the way to do it. Public service employees should have the option of getting out early.

There has been a dramatic exodus from nursing, making our health system dependent on Filipino nurses to make up the shortfall. I am also concerned by recent reports of a future pensions bombshell in light of the benchmarking deal. The Minister of State might refer to this in his closing remarks. Due to the new benchmarking awards and the increases in the number of public service employees, the State will face a massive pensions bill in future years. The deficit will mean that workers in years to come will have to support numerous pensioners. A recent report also stated that in Europe alone, with its ageing population, up to 70 million emigrant workers will be needed.

This Bill is a missed opportunity by the Government. By all means, abolish the maximum age for retiring but people should not be compelled to stay in the public service. I am surprised by the stance of the Leader of the House, a former teacher who has many teaching colleagues who are not impressed by this Bill. I accept that our population is ageing, people are living longer and there will be huge costs in years to come. I have raised with the Leader the need for a debate on the effects of the ageing population, as most will now die from degenerative diseases as opposed to sudden deaths, such as heart attacks.