State pension age
Mary Lou McDonald pressed for a clear commitment to retain the right to retire at 65 and criticised plans to raise the pension age. The Taoiseach said the Government had an open mind, would examine the pensions report with the taxation and welfare commission, and McDonald challenged him to give a yes-or-no answer.
I also extend my sympathies with the family of the late Noel Treacy.
A decade ago, Fine Gael and the Labour Party removed the right to retire on a State pension at 65 years. Over the last two years, the Government has plotted and planned to ratchet the pension age up to 66, 67 and 68 years. We in Sinn Féin remain absolutely committed to people's right to retire if they so wish at the age of 65 on a pension.
The report of the Oireachtas joint committee on social protection rejected the Government's plans to ratchet up the pension age. Will the Taoiseach give a clear commitment that the pension age will not rise? Furthermore, will he give a commitment that the Government will act to restore the retirement age of 65 years of age? He said he has an open mind. I ask that he have an open mind on this issue because it is a matter of fairness and fair play for workers.
Comment on this
I am a bit confused because last October Deputy McDonald's party increased the pension age in Northern Ireland from 65 years to 66 years. We do have an open mind-----
Comment on this
Does the Taoiseach want me to answer that?