Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I support Deputy Boyd Barrett's amendment to this Private Members' motion. I take this opportunity to congratulate the thousands of senior citizens who came to Molesworth Street and Kildare Street yesterday to have their say on these mean spirited cuts that are taking place following this budget. Unfortunately, this Government will be immune to their voices but it is important that they were here to have their say.

The motion tonight quotes from the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, to which Ireland signed up in 2002. Article 14 of that plan states the following:

We recognize the need to achieve progressively the full realization of the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. We reaffirm that the attainment of the highest possible level of health is a most important worldwide social goal, the realization of which requires action of many other social and economic sectors in addition to the health sector. We commit ourselves to providing older persons with universal and equal access to health care and services, including physical and mental health services, and we recognize that the growing needs of an ageing population require additional policies, in particular care and treatment, the promotion of healthy lifestyles and supportive environments. We shall promote independence, accessibility and the empowerment of older persons to participate fully in all aspects of society.

The previous Government ignored the Madrid plan and this Government is ignoring it as well. How can Government Ministers look elderly people in the face and tell them they value them and their contribution to Irish society, when this political agreement, to which Ireland signed up as sovereign nation, is torn up and thrown in their faces?

See this speech in context