I propose to take Questions Nos. 409 and 417 to 419, inclusive, together.
Recruitment in An Garda Síochána is governed by Statutory Regulation namely, the Garda Síochána (Admission & Appointments) Regulations 1988/2005. The recruitment age was considered as recently as 2004 when, on the recommendation of the Garda Commissioner, the maximum recruitment age was increased from 26 to 35 years. This was made by Statutory Instrument 749/2004 which amended regulation 164 of 1988.
This upper age limit of 35 was set having regard to equality legislation and also took into account the following criteria:
(1) The cost of training
(2) The need for recruits to serve for a sufficient period of time as full members of the service to recoup this cost.
(3) The operational requirements of the service in terms of having an age profile appropriate to the physical demands placed on members in the course of their duty.
There are no plans to change the upper age limit for recruitment to An Garda Síochána at this time.
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. The setting of this age has been found by the High Court to be objective, reasonable and justifiable taking into account the general operational requirements of the force and to be 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 legal proceedings referred to by the Deputy are currently before the Supreme Court and it not be appropriate to comment on them at this time.