Ciara Conway (Waterford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

The free travel pass the motion contends is under threat is something that is hugely important to both the social and economic fabric of the country.

It is regarded by many as a badge of honour and a reward for the hard work they have done inside and outside the home. It is held dearly by many people throughout the country.

Deputy Willie O'Dea mentioned some of the organisations that brought this issue to the fore and he specifically mentioned Age Action Ireland. That organisation came to our parliamentary party meeting room a number of months ago and asked politicians to stop flying kites. Age Action Ireland asked politicians to stop flying kites and scaremongering because old people listening to local and regional radio stations think that what they hear on the radio is reality. Here, Age Action Ireland and its partners in crime, Fianna Fáil, are scaremongering and upsetting people.

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