Paddy Burke (Fine Gael)

I appreciate that. The Minister made great play of the fact that he was increasing the age limit and I thoroughly agree with him. However, members of the Garda Síochána must resign on reaching the age of 57. If people who have reached the age of 30 have entered the Garda Síochána and served 27 years, the Minister will have no choice but to let them serve until they are 60 so that they can reach the maximum pension. We cannot deprive people of the maximum pension rights. This issue should be resolved before this Bill is passed because these people are entitled to the maximum pension. We cannot raise the entry age for whatever good reason and allow people into the public service and deprive them of the right to the maximum pension. There is good reason to either raise the age of retirement or make the maximum pension available in whatever way it is possible to do so.