A man in his 70s has forced a car-hire company to scrap a ban on over-75s renting and a 33% age surcharge.
More than two years ago, Australia-based Christian Brother Anthony White was charged an extra €25 a day on a car he rented in Ireland because he was over 70. He also learned he would be barred from renting on reaching 75.
The Brother had held an Australian Heavy Vehicle Licence for over 50 years and was driving 40 to 50,000km a year at the time.
After failing to get satisfaction from Irish Car Rentals, he contacted the Equality Authority which negotiated a dropping of the surcharge and the ban.
Instead, a safety assessment form has been introduced for all renters. The company and the Authority say it takes due and proper account of each driver's health, driving experience and existing motor insurance policy.
Welcoming the settlement, the Senior Citizens' Parliament criticised the requirement to have an existing insurance policy. It said many older people may no longer hold one, yet may want to hire as the need arose.
And Age Action Ireland warned that work on many similar cases will be seriously undermined by a significant cut in the Authority's funding.
The Equality Authority - which advised Brother White on the case - has welcomed his settlement with Irish Car Rentals Limited.
It has also urged all other car hire companies to remove any remaining age limits to ensure that they comply with the Equal Status Acts.
