Thomas Byrne (Fianna Fail)

I wish to state the Fianna Fáil policy on this matter, as set out in a document we published earlier this year. That document was drafted by my colleague, Senator Mary White, who has done a lot of work on this area. Our policy is that Fianna Fáil seeks to end the compulsory retirement of persons at the age of 65, whether in the public or private sector. While the provision in this statute does not go as far as our party policy would require, it does take us a step further along the road and on that basis, I will not be opposing this section and will not be supporting the amendment. However, this is something that the Minister has said he will return to and my party will be vigorously pursuing the matter in the context of a changing economy, hopefully. It is a step forward that the lower age of 65 is being changed and we are moving towards full equality for people of all ages.