Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I ask the Leader to arrange an early debate on ageing and ageism in society. I would like the relevant Ministers to attend to deal with the various forms of discrimination for which their Departments are responsible. Despite an acute shortage of qualified staff in many parts of the public service, we force thousands of public servants to retire at 65 who wish to stay on and contribute their skills and experience. A survey published in The Irish Times on 12 September 2006 confirmed that the majority of older people do not want to retire at 65, yet they are forced to do so.

Since I first raised the issue I have received numerous pleas for help on forced retirement from people nationally. Very kindly, the Cathaoirleach facilitated an Adjournment debate on 29 June 2006 on the continued obligation in the general medical service on general practitioners to cease at 70 years of age to treat their public patients despite being allowed to continue to treat their private patients. The Minister of State with responsibility for the elderly, Deputy Seán Power, told the House that he was open to changing the rule and would forward the matter to the group considering the modification of the general practitioner contract. However, three months later the Department of Health and Children has yet to take a stance on the issue, never mind remove the bar at age 70.

This weekend, the British Government will introduce legislation which prevents people from being forced to retire before the age of 65 and allows them to negotiate to stay in employment after that age. It is very important to halt the discrimination which forces people to retire at 65 years. I am on a mission to bring this change to fruition.