Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

We had a shortage, until recently, in the labour market but the skills and leadership levels these people have acquired over many years is something we will have to examine. That is in the context of the Green Paper on pensions and the way we deal with retirement. Should there be a cut-off point or should people be allowed phase out of the active labour market over a period of time and pass on their skills and knowledge to the next generation?

The issue of lifelong learning has been acknowledged by the Government and society as a whole. We value education here. That was always one of our strengths, even in times past when people——