Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Ms Murphy spoke about respect, and how older people were treated in the past and how they are treated today.

I think the situation has deteriorated badly and there is a lack of compassion and support among broader society for many older people. Some of the situations we discovered in terms of human interaction would not have happened to older people 30 years ago. I think it has got worse.

I am asking for examples of good practice. Age Action is working with sister organisations in 76 countries across the world. Have the witnesses come across a couple of countries that have got both the rights aspect for older people and the services and societal supports on the ground right? In our context, I have come across a recent example of best practice from a very unlikely source for many people. The way the Traveller community, which is an ethnic group in this country, treats its senior citizens and older people is amazing. They have a tradition within their community of ultimate support and respect for the older generation. It is something from which we, as a broader society, could learn. From Age Action's point of view, it is working very closely right across 76 countries. Which one or two have it right or which country has it near enough to right?