Mary White (Fianna Fail)

On Sunday, 26 September at the Augustinian church in Drogheda, I had the honour of being invited by Fr. Iggy O'Donovan to give the sermon at a celebration of positive ageing week. For Senators who may not be aware, Fr. O'Donovan supports allowing women to become priests. More than 500 people were in the church that day. Never did I think I would have the experience of speaking from the altar in a Catholic church on positive ageing and the contribution of older people in society.

Today's edition of The Irish Times, a sponsor of my all-Ireland inspirational life award, seeks nominations for the award of people and organisations which have helped enhance the lives of older people. I am supported in this endeavour by Dame Joan Harbison, Northern Ireland's advocate for older people. I suggest Senators get their copy of The Irish Times. As I am Fianna Fáil spokesperson on older people in the Seanad, I have put my heart and soul into getting this award to be an all-Ireland one, to cover both North and South.

North and South working together will also deal with those responsible for the recent atrocious bombing on the Culmore Road in Derry and who threaten lives in Northern Ireland and its political stability. As Senator Carty said, there was a callousness in this attack considering it was just after the visit to Northern Ireland of the former US President, Bill Clinton, the main architect of the peace process.