Mary Henry (Independent)

I said I would certainly be back by 9 p.m. or 10 p.m. but I was told I would have to take a key because they had to go to bed so they could get up at 7 a.m. These people had full and active lives. I do not believe anyone worries about getting older but only about the ill health one may run into. It is important the rest of the population concentrates on that area of our health system. One very rarely hears about people being refused any type of medical treatment because of their age. A friend of mine who is in his 90s went into hospital recently to get a new pacemaker. He was asked if he wanted a three year or a nine year one to which he replied he would like the nine year one because he did not want to come back in three years. One's attitude towards illness is important, although some of us are blessed with better health than others.

We need to address some areas of the health service. BreastCheck should be extended as soon as possible to cover those who are 70 years of age because the current cut-off point of 65 years is very early. When it is being rolled out in other parts of the country, it should be extended to 70 years of age.

The problem of hiring cars has been raised, which is serious. One cannot hire a car once one is over 70 years of age. A considerable number of tourists come to this country and many Irish people go abroad. I go abroad quite a bit with a group of people and I am now one of the young ones who must do much of the driving. It is an issue at which we must look because people are being discriminated against for no other reason than their age rather than their lack of ability or otherwise.

There is just not enough time to do everything and sometimes I regret I take on so much. The other day I bought two books on the birds of Ireland. I could recognise lichens, wild flowers, leaves and so on but I could not recognise many birds. I put one book in the car and the other in the kitchen. I think I saw a mistle thrush this morning. I had the book to hand but I did not have my glasses so it was difficult to identify it. There is a problem in regard to the decrease in the number of thrushes in this country and we must all keep our wits about us so we can let the ornithologists know if we see one. One can take on many useful projects as one get older.

The poems we learned about old age when we were young were extraordinary they were so doleful. I am sure some Members will remember the poem "To Daffodils".

Fair daffodils, we weep to see

You haste away so soon;

As yet the early-rising sun

Has not attain'd his noon.

Stay, stay

Until the hasting day

Has run

But to the evensong,

And, having pray'd together, we

Will go with you along.

[The next verse is even more gloomy.]

We have a short time to stay, as you,

We have as short a spring;

As quick a growth to meet decay,

As you, or anything.

Everything was about our lives fading. I much prefer the poem such as the one about the woman who said she was going to become eccentric and wear a red dress and purple hat.