Mary White (Fianna Fail)

I will not say any more; I might agree with the Senator. Boston College's research has shown that people who remain in employment past the determined age of 65 are healthier and happier as a result of their continued employment. It is not just about money but the social interaction. With modern medicine, nutrition and housing conditions people are flying, so to speak, at 65 and 70.

Forced retirement is a clear example of ageist discrimination and a violation of the spirit of the European Union directive 2000/78 which clearly states that direct discrimination shall be deemed to occur when one person is treated less favourably than another. It is ultimate discrimination if a person must retire because they are 65. That is a regulation introduced when average life expectancy was 65. It is about time we got rid of it. I am on a mission to abolish it but there should not be any hint from the Pensions Board that people must stay on in work. I am talking about giving people a choice similar to that given to married women. If they wanted to stay in work, they could do so but if they wished to retire they could do that. I am talking about choice to stay on in employment after the age of 65, not only for financial reasons but for intellectual and social reasons.