Derek McDowell (Labour)

I would like clarification on a point which relates to drafting as much as to anything else. Can the Minister of State clarify whether, subject to what is in the section, it is the option of the individual garda whether he or she chooses to retire at 55 years of age or stay on for a continued period? It appears from the way it is drafted that it would be open to the commissioner, superintendent or local employer to require a particular garda to stay on, subject to the person being able to work, until he or she was 60 years of age. I assume the intention is to give the choice to the individual garda as to whether to stay working.