Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I congratulate Senator Mary White who has opened a discussion of the kind we do not have as often as we should. When I first came to the House, almost 20 years ago, within a few weeks the then Minister, Mrs. Mary O'Rourke, had introduced an unfair dismissals Bill. For a number of months beforehand she had raised the subject with trade unions and employers to discover what they would regard as an unfair dismissal. They provided a number of instances, for example, that it would be unfair to dismiss a person because he or she was a Traveller or had a particular sexual orientation. I tabled an amendment to the Bill proposing that age be regarded as such a ground. At the time I was not thinking of the age of 65 years. However, I knew of a hotel where one of the board members had said to the manager, "Would you get rid of that aul wan in Reception and put a bright young attractive woman behind the counter?" The manager pointed out that the woman in question was very good but was told by the board member that he wanted to walk in and see a bright attractive young woman. I do not know what age the woman was, but the manager refused to act against her. That was the reason I introduced the amendment which the Minister was able to accept because in her view the issue was very easy to define. If one is born on a certain day, one has a birth certificate to that effect.

Our policy in Superquinn was to say "goodbye" when staff reached 65 years, congratulate and tell them we would love to think they would return, even if it was not every day or for the entire working day. We told them we did not want to lose their experience and talent or the example they could set for new, younger staff. That was always our policy, of which many did not avail but many did. I think of one person, Betty O'Reilly, whom I meet regularly and whose 80th birthday celebration I attended five years ago. She works a few days a week in the bakery in our Sutton branch and just loves coming to work. She is energetic and sets an example for younger staff. I was delighted to be in Superquinn in Blackrock last Friday. There has been a major renovation project and I had not visited the store for some time. The first man I met was John Hammond, a butcher, who told me that when he had reached at the age of 65 years, I had shaken hands with him and presented him with a token in recognition of the years he had worked with us. He is now 76 years old and still comes to work. I do not think he comes every day, but he comes on a regular basis, which he values. Every year he asks the manager if he is still wanted and told that he is because of his energy, enthusiasm, effort and the example he sets for others. I offer these stories because the benefit is not only to the employee but also to the employer. The State will lose a great deal if we continue with the policy of compulsory retirement at the age of 65 years. It would be a real error and I would hate that to happen.

Having mentioned two Superquinn employees, I will mention Aidan Brogan who works in our Sutton branch and tells me he is 78 years old. It is a joy to see people like him still working. I am enthusiastic about the concept and also about what Senator Mary White has proposed. If there is a danger the Government might turn it down, I hope the debate will be adjourned without a vote. What Senator Paul Bradford observed is correct. A great number of Members are not only sympathetic to the motion, they also actively recognise the benefit of taking such steps. I would like to think this would happen and I am confident that something of this nature will happen in the very near future when we recognise that we should not be obliged to dismiss people.

I have found many examples throughout the world. A couple of years ago my wife and I missed a flight in Pittsburgh. We went to a restaurant for something to eat. As I was hungry, I cleaned my plate. The lady who had served us said, "I see you are part of the clean plate brigade." I asked her what that meant and she asked me if I remembered that during the war children were told to clean their plate because people were starving in Europe. She was talking about the Second World War; she was more than 80 years of age and running the restaurant. It is that talent, skill and ability we must not lose. I would hate to think we are merely helping people to work. We are also helping employers and the younger employees who learn from them. It would be a shame to lose all of these benefits and I hope we will not.

Last year we lost my mother-in-law in her 102nd year. When President McAleese attended the House about three years ago, I told her that we were coming up to my mother-in-law's 100th birthday and that she was looking forward to receiving a letter from her. The President asked me if I knew what she would receive. I do not know if the Members present know how much a person receives on his or her 100th birthday. The President had spoken to the Minister of the day in 2000 and pointed out that the tradition of giving £100 had been followed since the time of Queen Victoria. I believe it was Bismarck who introduced the old age pension in 1904. The President asked the then Minister who I understand was Charlie McCreevy if he would consider raising the amount. She had intended to suggest a figure of £500, but decided to aim for £1,000. He made the sum £2,000. Therefore, my mother-in-law received a cheque for ¤2,540. I say this in praise of President McAleese. On my mother-in-law's 101st birthday, she received another letter and a token - a shield or a medal. I received a letter halfway through last year asking how my mother-in-law was, but I had to reply that she had died in her 102nd year. President McAleese recognised the value of age, with the result that recipients - I believe I am the oldest Member of the House - will continue to receive a letter every year after their 100th birthday.

I realise I am not on-topic, for which I apologise. There is huge value in appreciating the skills, ability and talent of older people, as well as in the way they can pass on these qualities to the next generation. It is a win not only for the person who has reached the age of 65 years but also for the employer, be it the State or an entrepreneurial business. I congratulate Senator Mary White on introducing the Bill.