Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I raised this issue back in 1978, when retirement was compulsory for people in the public service and I felt there was a certain discrimination against them in that politicians did not have this requirement. I thought it was a reasonable point, particularly as I was 33 years of age. I was very impressed with my speech but, afterwards, Pádraig Faulkner, who was a very senior Fianna Fáil politician, came down to me and said, "That is not Fianna Fáil policy". I said it was my view and, at the time, I was a Minister of State. However, we all change our attitude as time goes on, and we all have a right to review the position or look at the situation. Nonetheless, I did make the point that, up to the age of 65, if one ran for election, one could get another five years out of it, so there was a little get-out clause. In fairness, the Minister outlined that there is no retirement age for Members of this or the other House, which backs up Senator White's point of view.

Senator Crown outlined the many people who are effective at a particular age and who would be a great loss. For example, in sport, Giovanni Trapattoni is the manager of the Irish team-----