Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It must be difficult for Fianna Fáil to see all the attention other parties are getting at the moment but it is a step too far for it to try to get some attention by creating a row about something that is not even a problem - it is a ball of smoke. I strongly object to the fact that Fianna Fáil is trying to get attention by scaring older people by pretending there is a threat to the free travel scheme. There is no threat to the travel pass. This has been stated categorically by a number of senior Ministers. Fianna Fáil appears to have missed that.

Fianna Fáil has been no friend to the elderly and when Fianna Fáil was in power it cut pensions and carers and disability allowances. Fianna Fáil did a lot more damage that affected all of us, not just the elderly. I have worked with older people in my constituency and I understand their needs. What they do not need is Fianna Fáil scaremongering about travel passes being taken away. I agree with the UN principle for older people, which states that older people should have access to a full range of services for their basic needs, to work and study as long as they can and to be able to live active lives, to live in their homes safely as long as they can. Older people should remain integrated and participate in society and continue to develop themselves through education and training. Older people should be able to live in dignity and security. Older people need their dignity and independence and the travel pass is very important to help maintain this. I support this and Fine Gael supports this.

Older people use their travel pass to visit family and friends, local shops and to attend medical appointments. Many of them use the travel pass to go on a day out or for a short break and to visit relatives. Some of them use it to go to work. Fine Gael understands this and will maintain the travel pass. I hope the Fianna Fáil Members are listening. I want to reassure people that the travel pass is not under threat and I ask them to forgive Fianna Fáil for trying to use this issue to get some attention. Fianna Fáil is a disgrace.

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