Ann Ormonde (Fianna Fail)

I spoke at length on this issue on Second Stage. I agree with many of the points being made regarding those who will enter politics. As I said some nights ago, politicians will be affected unless they have plenty of money or a business to which they can return. If they enter politics at the age of 25 and find themselves no longer in politics at 35 — perhaps they never had a career before entering politics and had hoped it would be their career — they will have to wait until they are 65 to get a pension. I have difficulty with this proposal.

A working group was set up to try to iron out these problems in so far as they affect teachers and politicians and it seems no agreement was possible. A special agreement was reached with the primary teachers in 1934 and in 1996 there was an OPW agreement on a special arrangement that those reaching the peak of their careers at the age of 50 plus could be facilitated. Some formula should be introduced so teachers who find themselves in such circumstances and feel they cannot carry on teaching until they are 65 could be given less responsibility or the chance to wind down. However, according to this Bill, if they leave the profession before the age of 65, they will lose pension benefits.

It would be great if teachers could retire at the age of 55 plus to allow them a little leeway. Not only are they teaching their subjects, but they are also dealing with many other factors in the classroom. In light of this, some mechanism or formula should be introduced to accommodate them. I would like to hear the views of the Minister of State on this issue.