Mary White (Fianna Fail)

It is a great result on a matter I raised a year ago and I am most appreciative.

I call on the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, to come to the House for a debate and an open discussion on the issue of the quality of life for older people in our country. Yesterday morning I attended the meeting in Westland Row church. One had to be there to really experience the atmosphere. It is no good telling people there were so many present. I thought approximately 1,800 people were present. Judging by the people's faces, most of the women were ex-public servants or civil servants. Many of the women who spoke stated that they had had to give up their jobs when they got married. They stayed at home and minded their families because they had had to give up their jobs. They did not have an income of their own and they felt they were being thrown aside by the Government.