Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)

Senator McDowell should address his question to Senator O'Toole. This was the precise point I endeavoured to make during the last debate. Specific arrangements will be made in specific contexts in the future. The purpose of the pension commission was to determine a pensionable age and make a recommendation, which the Government accepted. This was notwithstanding some degree of unease as expressed by Senator O'Toole within educational circles.

With regard to the Department of Defence, the provision for the scheme is within the overall limitation of 50 years as the retirement age. The schemes will be drawn up by the Minister but the overall retirement age for the Defence Forces will be 50 years under section 10(2)(a). No benefit would be payable in respect of a new entrant before he or she reaches that age. The Minister would then draw up the scheme for the release of the relevant payments in that light. The commission recommendation was that 50 years was the age of retirement for the Defence Forces, which the Government accepted.