Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

If there were a system whereby everybody could serve until they were 60 or 65 it would only be for members who were still firing on all cylinders from a fitness point of view so that they could take on the onerous duties of gardaí. If a selection system were introduced it would give rise to significant industrial relations problems because the process would be open to charges of favouritism, as some were selected and others deemed to be past it, so to speak.