Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister to the House for this discussion on the Seanad Public Consultation Committee's report on the rights of older people. When the 24th Seanad assembled last year, there was overwhelming support across the House to improve the way the Seanad works and make it more relevant and accessible to the public at large. To that end, the public consultation committee was created, which constitutes a strong addition to the overall committee system and brings the Seanad closer to the citizen by allowing community representatives to appear before the House.

It was decided by the public consultation committee that the rights of older persons in Ireland should be the theme of the first project, and the choice was endorsed by all Members of the House. The report was compiled following widespread consultation by the committee with various stakeholders in the area, and in the following interesting sessions, the Members were addressed by experts on the floor of this House. In a time when the country is facing massive change and the sand seems to be shifting beneath our feet all the time, it is only right and proper that the more senior members of our society have the ear of public representatives so their needs can be heard and, we hope, met. The generation who laid the ground work to lead us to prosperity in the recent past and who have subsequently been in many cases unfairly affected by the economic turmoil of recent years deserve to have that contribution and sacrifice recognised.

Submissions were received from a diverse range of bodies and organisations, and recommendations were made concerning a host of items pertaining to the lives of older people. Having passed this report to the Minister of State and knowing her dedication and commitment to all aspects of the portfolio, I am confident some of the very worthwhile recommendations made in the report will work their way into policy and legislation in future.

As Leader of the House I can say that none of us is seeking personal recognition but we are honoured and proud as a body to have the work we have completed here translated into real outcomes for the section of society we all agree is deserving of special attention from politicians and policymakers alike. I compliment Senator O'Keeffe and Senator Zappone in particular on their work in compiling this report. The committee worked very hard and the two Senators worked above and beyond the call of duty in formulating the report.

I thank the Minister of State for her very comprehensive response to the report, which is much appreciated by the House. I welcome the fact the positive ageing strategy will come later in the year, and it should be welcomed by all organisations involved in the care of the elderly. As Senator Conway mentioned, I hope when the strategy is published that the Minister of State will come before the House to respond to it.