Sean Barrett (Independent) | Oireachtas source

-----and mathematicians peak when they are 25 or thereabouts. However, as lawyers probably improve with age, there would be nothing lost by keeping them there. Moreover, Senator Crown always draws attention to how we have a very popular President and highly successful Minister for Finance, both of whom would be ineligible were any of these rules to be applied. They are highly successful people who are highly esteemed in society. In any case, there also is the general issue of age discrimination. Consequently, I am glad the Minister of State is reviewing this matter and Senator Wilson's amendment is important. It should be on the agenda and I understand there are discussions in the other House about abolishing compulsory retirement altogether, as it is age discrimination. It is an easy way to do it at present whereby one can state that when a person has reached a certain age, he or she is out. Were one obliged to devise alternative measures as to whether they were capable of doing their duties, that would involve much larger human resources and personnel departments and perhaps disputes. However, having compulsory retirements is a rather blunt way to create vacancies for the next generation and to get rid of the present generation and they rapidly are becoming a thing of the past. I am delighted the Minister of State's Department is reviewing them.