Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail)

The Minister is right to change the age threshold. I am sure Senator Burke would agree. Many people suggested that he do so. Whether people continue in the force beyond the age of 57 years would have to be decided on an individual basis. It would depend on the ability of the garda to carry out his or her functions at that age. Some people aged 57 would be in a position to do so, but others would not.

Public service pensions, of which we in the Houses are also beneficiaries, could not be bought in the private sector. I am not sure that it should be open to somebody entering the force at the age of 30 or 35 to buy back years. Somebody coming into the force at that age is likely to have already been in employment for ten or 15 years and would have accumulated certain pension benefits which would be taken into account to make up any shortfall in the public service pension.

There is an issue and a major black hole regarding public service pensions and pensions generally. The previous Minister for Finance had begun to address the issue. As we go forward it will become a bigger issue. I am not sure we should dig the hole deeper without good reason.