David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The average life expectancy in Ireland for men is 78 and for women it is 82. It has been going up quite a bit over recent decades. Is the need for proactive respect and support, rather than passive respect and support, something this convention might bring about, that people might begin to think more positively and in a more focused way about support? Living with dignity is also included, along with empowerment of older people. Sometimes people go into nursing homes or hospitals and they are disempowered. What Deputy O'Dowd brought up touched on it quite a bit. The idea of residents' committees, which were mentioned, brings back the power to the residents in these places. Will the witnesses comment on the issue of proactive respect and empowerment of people?