Mary White (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

On 21 November 2012, I introduced the Employment Equality (Amendment)(No. 2) Bill 2012 to the House. The purpose of my Bill was to ensure that people cannot be discriminated against in the workplace on grounds of age. At the time we mentioned that we have many progressive legislative measures to ensure people in the workplace are not discriminated against on grounds of gender, race or sexual orientation. However, a blind eye has been turned to this far more prevalent form of discrimination. My Bill was seconded by Senator Crown and received wide support across the House. Many Senators, from both sides, spoke on the issue and supported the Bill in principle.

On 1 April 2014, Deputy Anne Ferris introduced the Employment Equality (Abolition of Mandatory Retirement Age) Bill 2014. Her Bill, which in principle supports my Bill, proposed: "That leave be granted to introduce a Bill entitled an Act to amend the Employment Equality Act 1998 and to provide for related matters." The Bill proposes to amend the Employment Equality Act 1998 and to abolish compulsory retirement ages for persons willing and able to continue with the job in which they are employed. When does the Deputy Leader believe this Bill will be taken on Second Stage? It appears that we have a form of lottery which decides at random which Private Members' Bills shall be selected. This is no way to treat such a serious Bill. I feel positive the Deputy Leader will push this Bill forward.