Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Fair enough. Why not allow people to work by choice until 70? I concur with Senator Ryan that there is an underlying theme in the ether, though it is not perpetuated by the Minister, that older people will become a significant bother. One feels almost like saying, "If that is the case, why not bump them all off?" People tut and indicate that they will have to take strong measures to address the problem of an aging population.

I take my cue from the telephone calls I receive and according to them, the Minister can continue to talk about his initiative. I have had many calls from people saying "three cheers" since the Minister spoke on television about allowing people to choose to work after 65. They are fed up hearing on retirement, comments like, "It is time to put your feet up, dear". They want to put their feet on the ground rather than up and continue to be part of the working population. The Minister has done me a great favour and I will say around Longford-Westmeath that my raison d'etre in standing for election is to obey him.