Mary White (Fianna Fail)

In the policy document, entitled A New Approach to Ageing and Ageism, I made 28 recommendations on ageing and ageism in Irish society. The document was drawn up after detailed research and discussions at many public meetings I arranged on the subject.

If only I could convey the feelings expressed at these meetings. There were pleas from men and women approaching 65 who did not want to give up their jobs. Women described how they had to give up their jobs when they got married, which was the case until we joined what is now the EU in 1973, when Ireland was forced to abolish this discrimination against married women. Women at many of my public meetings cried that they were being discriminated against for the second time, as they had to retire when they married and had to retire again at 65. People have called me who are only 60 but are dreading that they will be forced to retire in five years.