Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I would have thought the Civil Service had a better system than that. I will table the issue again next week on the basis that it has something to do with ports, but the Department for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources may well say this is not covered by its remit and it should be addressed somewhere else.

With regard to pensions, some years ago Senator O'Toole referred to the fact he was one of those who spoke about the need for universal pensions. I fully supported that then but let us not jump to the conclusion that this will be easily done for private pensions. Reference was made to what happened at Waterford Crystal. If the company had a pension system under which it would have had to increase its costs over the past 20 years, it would not have lasted as long as it did. It is not as simple as saying employers should pay pensions automatically. The issue is much more difficult than that but there is a need for private pension provision.

I attended an interesting conference yesterday morning entitled Turning Silver Into Gold. It was opened by the Taoiseach in the Royal Hospital Kilmainham. It was about making money in the future out of those of us with silver hair. It is fascinating that people who are a little older than retirement age have the ability to spend money and this presents an opportunity. What emerged from the conference, however, is that a large number of people do not want to have to retire and it was interesting that a number of company representatives pointed out they did not impose a retirement age and they encouraged people to continue working. That is why the criticism of us being told we have to work longer is dangerous. A large number of people around the world and in Ireland would welcome the opportunity. The word "retirement" should almost be banned. People who wish to continue to work and contribute to the nation's wealth should be allowed to do so.