Mary White (Fianna Fail)

On foot of my document "A New Approach to Ageing and Ageism", I have been approached by American visitors to Ireland who, at 70 years of age, cannot hire a car of their choice. When they approach the car hire desk at the airport and request a particular brand of a particular size, they are told they are not eligible. Individuals over 75 cannot hire a car and therefore state they will not return to Ireland.

Will the Government and Seanad take a leaf from US regulations to address this matter? Section 391 of Article 26 of the New York General Business Law states it shall be unlawful for any firm to refuse rental to anyone on the basis of age provided he or she has adequate insurance. Older Americans are now deciding they will not come to Ireland for their holidays because they cannot hire the car of their choice at 70 and cannot hire a car at 75. This is a very serious issue for people of Irish origin who want to continue to visit Ireland.