Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Minister for Health if he expressed reservations with regard to new international legal instruments dedicated to the human rights of older persons, to the UN Economic and Social Council, Economic Commission for Europe Working Group on Ageing in Geneva last November; the reason for such reservations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16139/13]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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It is my view that older people in Ireland and elsewhere benefit from the protections afforded by the existing range of international human rights standards and principles and current human rights instruments address many of the issues of particular relevance to older people such as, for example, protection from discrimination and abuse and access to health and social protection systems. However, the challenges faced by some older people are acknowledged. While many of the challenges might be described as human rights issues and while gaps in protections for older people have been identified, older people worldwide are not a homogenous group and discussions need to continue to identify existing implementation gaps. I believe that it is in our best interests to continue to concentrate effort on effective implementation of existing instruments and make better use of existing mechanisms for monitoring and appraisal of the situation of older people in society.

The Deputy may wish to note the General Assembly resolution 67/139 of 13 February 2013, entitled "Towards a comprehensive and integral international legal instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of older persons" in which the open-ended working group on ageing is mandated starting from its upcoming fourth session to be held in 2013, to consider proposals for an international legal instrument to promote and protect the rights and dignity of older persons. I would like to assure the Deputy that the challenges and opportunities associated with ageing will continue to be given a priority by the Government and my Department will work with colleagues in other Government Departments and in appropriate international fora to ensure continued effective and constructive collaboration in relation to the situation of older people in society.