Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

I thank all of the speakers for their contribution to the debate. A number of interesting and stimulating ideas were put forward. More than anything else, the debate highlighted the great potential and positive contribution that can be made by older people.

There have been a number of significant developments, although I agree with speakers that there is room for improvement. For instance, there is no mandatory retirement age for civil servants who have been recruited after April 2004. We now have a number of important nationwide campaigns on the positive aspects of ageing and older people, such as the Say No to Ageism week and Age Action week.

The Department of Finance issued a statement to the effect that in making appointments to State boards, the merits of a board's appointees and the desirability that they have the appropriate skills and experience for their appointments should be the main consideration and that the use of quotas to achieve age equality might not be consistent with this. The question of ageism does arise in regard to insurance in the case to which I referred. Liaison is now taking place between the Health Service Executive, HSE, and the community and voluntary sector and much positive work has been achieved in this area. We would not be in favour of the statutory provision of funding for services for older people. Funding for community services is a priority in the budgets of various Departments and that is the way it should continue.

A number of Senators made positive suggestions. Older people have an enormous contribution to make to society. We will take on board the good examples given to us during the debate. Senator Maurice Hayes is a good example of a man making a wonderful contribution to many aspects of Irish life. I asked my colleagues about how old the Senator is, but it is probably not fair to do so.