Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 279: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question Nos. 271 to 273 of 19 May 2009, if he will explain the reason the age restrictions for recruitment to and retirement from An Garda Síochána have been set at 35 and 60 respectively. [21433/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 280: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason for and the justification behind the setting of An Garda Síochána recruitment and retirement age limits at 35 and 60 respectively; the considerations taken into account in arriving at these age limits; if they are objectively and reasonably justifiable by a legitimate aim; if so, the legitimate aim in relation to same and the way it is justified; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21434/09]

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 281: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reason it is justifiable that members of the Garda Reserve, who have to face equally dangerous situations as members of An Garda Síochána, can be recruited at up to age 60 and can continue in service until they are 65 years of age, while at the same time a fully trained member of An Garda Síochána, able, fit, mature and with vast experience, must retire at age 60; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21435/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 279 to 281, inclusive, together.

I refer the Deputy to my answer to Questions Nos. 271 to 273, inclusive, of May 19th 2009.

The maximum recruitment age limit for admission as a trainee full time member of An Garda Síochána was set taking into account a number of criteria including the significant training cost which can only be recouped by serving a sufficient period and the operational requirements of the Force in terms of having an age profile appropriate to the demands placed on members in the course of their duty.

Retirement of members of An Garda Síochána is governed by a number of statutory regulations which have the cumulative effect of setting the standard retirement age for members at 60 years of age. This age is objectively and reasonably justifiable taking into account the general operational requirements of the force and is consistent with Equality legislation and EU directives on the matter. Of course members with 30 years service may retire on a full pension at any time once they reach 50 years of age for those who joined prior to 2004 and 55 years of age for those who joined since that date.

The higher recruitment and retirement ages for membership of the Garda Reserve take into account the volunteer nature of that force, the reduced number of hours of duty required of them and the limited nature of the duties assigned to them by the Commissioner.