Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

It related to migrant workers and the service work they do. I listened with great interest to Senator White and particularly her indication that she is about to publish a document on ageism and the elderly. Her previous such document related to child care. We have had extensive debates on child care and services for young people while at the earlier part of life's spectrum we have had vigorous policy debates on the unborn. These are all serious and appropriate matters.

It is opportune that we debate ageism. There is a fine line to be drawn between ageism and services for the elderly and the debate will overlap. We must address the concept of ageism, as opposed to the challenges faced by the elderly. We live in the Western hemisphere and are very dominated by its culture. If one were to try to sum up Western culture, the two words that would spring to one's mind would be "productivity" and "disposability". Our society and economy are run on the basis of productivity. At the other end of the scale, it is a question of how disposable a concept, politician or even a person might be. Given the mix of productivity and disposability, we must try to address the needs of our maturing citizens. It is very opportune that this is Say No To Ageism week and it is important that we listen closely and address the problems that exist.

Approximately 15 years ago, I read a very fine autobiography called Wild Swans by a Chinese lady whose name I cannot remember. The book covers the era from the Chinese revolution to the time in which it was written. It is a brief history of China and its society. One aspect of it that I recall very strongly and which had a great impact on me was the description of the elderly and the role they played in China. The people of that vast country, which has many faults and failings but is enjoying great economic growth and advancing to some degree politically, have great respect for the elderly. Not only do they play a great role in family life but also in village, community and political life.

My former colleague in the other House and friend of all of us, PJ Sheehan from Cork South-West, often remarks in jest when asked if he will be standing again for election to the Dáil that Chinese politicians only come into their own when they are 90. It is ideal that we are talking about ageism in the Oireachtas because politics is probably the one occupation in which a person's age is not the main issue. It presents no great barrier regardless of whether a candidate is 21, 75 or 80. I was 21 years of age at my first meeting as a member of Cork County Council and I sat beside a former member of this House, John L. O'Sullivan, who was 84 on that very day. We were both equal members of the council and nobody asked us our ages. Fortunately politics seems to be almost exempt from ageism, and rightly so, and we must now try to spread that exemption across society.

Pensions, housing and options for work have been mentioned and all require further study. Most people are speaking about retirement age. Senator White made the point that one goes to bed at 64 as a so-called plus to society——